CCTV Evidence Confirms Female Doctor Entered Hotel Alone Before Suicide in Maharashtra

The recently released surveillance footage confirms the doctor entered the hotel by herself.

Mumbai:

Newly obtained CCTV evidence from a hotel in Maharashtra's Satara district has verified that the 28-year-old female physician, whose death last week ignited political controversy, had checked into the establishment alone on the night of her passing. The video footage, made public by the hotel proprietor, contradicts assertions by certain political figures suggesting the incident might have been a murder disguised as suicide.

The physician, who served at a government hospital in Satara and hailed from Beed district, was discovered deceased in her hotel accommodation late on October 23. A suicide note found written on her palm implicated two individuals: Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Gopal Badane for sexual assault and software engineer Prashant Bankar for persistent psychological harassment. Both individuals have subsequently been taken into custody.

CCTV Evidence

The newly disclosed footage demonstrates the physician entering the hotel unaccompanied and finalizing her check-in shortly after departing from Bankar's residence, where she reportedly participated in a Lakshmi Puja celebration that evening.

The release of this footage followed statements by Sushma Andhare, a senior leader from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, who questioned whether the physician had voluntarily entered the hotel, suggesting possible coercion. In response, the hotel owner provided surveillance recordings to local authorities, affirming that no one accompanied her during her arrival.

Sequence of Events

According to preliminary investigative findings, the physician had been invited to Bankar's residence on the evening of October 23 for a Lakshmi Puja ceremony. Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Rupali Chakankar stated the physician and Bankar engaged in a disagreement during the event regarding photographs taken during the rituals. "She reportedly departed the residence following the argument. Bankar's father briefly brought her back, but she left again later and checked into a nearby lodge," Chakankar explained.

Prior to taking her life, the physician allegedly sent multiple text messages to Bankar, indicating she was experiencing emotional distress. "She suggested she might take an extreme measure," said Chakankar, referencing details from messages recovered by investigators. Police officials confirmed the physician also placed a late-night call to Bankar, though it remains unclear whether he responded.

The following morning, hotel personnel discovered her body. The autopsy indicated death by hanging, with police awaiting the final forensic report.

The Allegations

The handwritten note discovered on her palm named PSI Gopal Badane and Bankar. The physician accused Badane of perpetrating sexual assault on multiple occasions and alleged that Bankar, her landlord's son, subjected her to continuous psychological harassment.

Satara police chief Tushar Doshi indicated digital evidence recovered from the victim's phone substantiates that she maintained contact with Bankar in the days preceding her death. However, her final communication with Badane dated back to March.

The investigation into rape allegations against PSI Badane continues, with officers from outside the Phaltan division now assisting to ensure impartiality.

Prior Complaints Ignored

Documents examined by investigators reveal the physician had previously filed several written complaints against PSI Badane and other officers, alleging harassment and intimidation. On June 19, she submitted a complaint to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, accusing them of pressuring her to issue fraudulent medical fitness certificates for criminal suspects.

This complaint was countered by an FIR filed by the Phaltan Rural Police, accusing the physician of obstructing an investigation. Activists and colleagues now contend this bureaucratic conflict exacerbated her psychological distress and left her without institutional support.

Women's Commission chairperson Chakankar confirmed the commission will examine why no departmental action followed her June complaint.

Political and Public Reaction

The incident has sparked significant political controversy throughout Maharashtra. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, characterized the case as "an institutional failure."

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended the police investigation, cautioning against politicizing the case.

State-appointed coordinator Dr. Omprakash Shete met with the victim's family in Beed on Monday and assured them the Chief Minister would personally monitor the investigation's progress.

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar and Congress's Vijay Waddetiwar have also pledged legal support to the family. On Tuesday, the victim's hometown of Wadwani observed a complete shutdown demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation.