Maharashtra Doctor Suicide Case: Evidence Tampering Alleged as Family Claims Unauthorized Phone Access After Death

In the suicide note written on her palm, the woman doctor alleged that a sub-inspector subjected her to multiple instances of rape.

Beed:

Family members of the woman doctor who allegedly took her own life in Maharashtra's Satara district last week have raised alarming concerns. They claim someone unlocked the deceased's phone using her fingerprint after her death and deleted crucial information from the device.

The relatives further stated that the doctor's WhatsApp account showed activity following her death, with the "last seen" status updating posthumously, suggesting unauthorized access to her account.

The 28-year-old medical professional, originally from Beed district in central Maharashtra and employed at a government hospital in Satara, was discovered hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town on the night of October 23.

Her suicide note, written on her palm, contained allegations that sub-inspector Gopal Badane had raped her on multiple occasions, while Prashant Bankar, identified as a software engineer, had subjected her to mental harassment.

Both the sub-inspector and the engineer were taken into custody on October 25.

Speaking to reporters Monday night, the victim's uncle expressed concern about potential evidence tampering. "We were informed about the doctor's death by hanging, but by the time we reached the hotel room, her body had already been moved to the hospital. We subsequently learned about the suicide note written on her hand," he said.

"We believe someone tampered with her mobile phone after her death. Before our arrival at the scene, someone apparently used her fingerprint to unlock the device and deleted vital information related to the incident. Her WhatsApp 'last seen' status showing activity after her death further suggests the phone was operated posthumously by another person," he added.

The family is requesting that the case be transferred to a Beed district court to ensure a fair investigation.

Dr. Omprakash Shete, representing the state government in coordinating with the doctor's family, visited her hometown Monday evening and assured relatives that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would be informed about the situation to ensure justice.

The family also presented him with a memorandum outlining their demands.

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) leader Prakash Ambedkar and Congress representative Vijay Waddetiwar contacted the victim's family by phone, pledging their support until justice is achieved.

Residents of Wadwani in Beed observed a bandh (shutdown) on Tuesday, demanding an investigation by a special investigation team (SIT) into the alleged suicide of the woman doctor who originated from their area.