Shiv Sena (UBT) Seeks High-Level Probe into Satara Doctor’s Suicide

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded a high-level, independent inquiry into the alleged suicide of a woman doctor in Satara, accusing former BJP MP Ranjitsinha Naik Nimbalkar of exerting pressure on the local administration to protect the accused. The demand follows allegations from the victim’s relatives, who claimed serious irregularities in the investigation process and post-mortem examination.

In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and submitted to Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party alleged political interference in the case. “It has been noticed that a ruling party’s former MP Ranjitsinha Naik Nimbalkar and his PAs are pressurising the local administration to shield the accused persons. The misuse of state power and officers is contrary to the idea of the Constitution and law,” the letter stated.

Calling for an impartial probe, the party added, “A thorough, high-level and independent investigation should be conducted in a time-bound manner. The accused should face stringent punishment so that no female officer or public servant faces similar oppression in the future.”

The deceased’s family alleged that no autopsy was conducted until the early hours of the following morning and that the procedure took place without their presence. It has sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, headed by a woman officer from outside Maharashtra, citing possible local police bias.

The woman doctor, a native of Beed district, was found dead in a hotel room in Satara on Thursday. She was serving as a medical officer at Phaltan Sub-District Hospital. According to police, she had written a suicide note on her palm in Marathi, accusing Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Gopal Badne of raping her four times over the past five months. She also named another man, Prashant Bankar, alleging physical and mental harassment. Both men have since been arrested.

The victim’s relatives claimed that she had filed multiple complaints against police officers in recent months, alleging that they were coercing her to issue medical certificates. In one communication, she reportedly warned that the officers would be responsible if anything happened to her. Weeks before her death, she had written to senior authorities, alleging pressure from police personnel and political aides and stating that she had been forced to speak to a Member of Parliament who berated her over the phone.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended former MP Nimbalkar and NCP MLA Sachin Patil, both accused by the Opposition of influencing the case, saying there was no evidence against them. He condemned attempts to politicise the incident and assured that the culprits would face justice.