Suspicious Investigation in Satara Doctor Suicide Case: Time of Death Discrepancy Raises Serious Questions

New Delhi:

The family of the Maharashtra doctor who died by suicide last week has raised serious concerns regarding the investigation process. The doctor had accused a policeman of raping her four times over five months and a Member of Parliament of pressuring her to issue fraudulent medical fitness certificates.

According to the doctor's brother, there is a significant discrepancy in the recorded time of death. He claims the actual time of death was 11:50 am, but official records show it as 11:50 pm – a full 12-hour difference that he believes was "deliberately not recorded" correctly.

The brother has highlighted the inherent conflict of interest in having the police investigate one of their own officers accused of such a serious crime. He has called for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of a High Court judge.

"The investigation itself is suspicious... the police officers themselves are the accused in this case. Therefore a SIT is necessary," the brother explained.

When the family visited Satara, where the tragedy occurred, Deputy Superintendent Vishal Khambe showed them the autopsy report. The brother noted that the report only mentioned "asphyxia" – a condition resulting from oxygen deprivation due to hanging.

"But that is immediately clear on seeing the body," he stated. "The main purpose of a forensic expert conducting an autopsy is to determine time of death. We specifically requested this information."

The brother claims this crucial detail was absent from the initial report shown to the family. "The report didn't mention it at the time. When I inquired about it, they said 'we will tell you in two days'."

"It took six days for this report to arrive. And even then, why were you only able to tell us what we already knew? And why isn't the time of death mentioned?" he questioned.

The family has also alleged that someone accessed the deceased doctor's mobile phone after her death to delete critical information. They noted her WhatsApp account showed as 'active' even after her death, raising suspicions that important evidence was being erased from the device.

This case has triggered a major legal and political controversy in Maharashtra, particularly after revelations that the doctor had previously filed multiple written complaints against Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane, whom she accused of rape, and others who had allegedly harassed her.

The doctor, who was assigned to a government hospital in Satara, was discovered dead in a hotel room on October 23. A suicide note written on her left palm accused Badane of rape and a software engineer named Prashant Bankar of sustained psychological harassment.

Both accused individuals have since been taken into custody.

The timing discrepancies are particularly significant as CCTV footage from October 23 shows the doctor checking into a lodge alone after attending a gathering at Bankar's residence earlier that evening. Reports indicate there was an argument with Bankar that day.

She reportedly sent multiple text messages to Bankar before taking her life, suggesting emotional distress. Police have confirmed she made a late-night call to him.

Hotel staff discovered her body the following morning on October 24.

The case has sparked political debate, with opposition figures including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi describing it as an "institutional failure." Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended the police investigation and cautioned against politicizing the tragedy.