Maharashtra Doctor Suicide Case Deepens: Woman Alleges Postmortem Report Was Altered

The government doctor in Maharashtra's Satara who died by suicide has signed a fake postmortem report, a woman from the district has alleged. The woman alleged that the doctor altered the post-mortem report of her daughter, who she claimed died under suspicious circumstances. The 28-year-old physician, posted at a sub-district hospital, hanged herself in a hotel room in Phaltan town of the western Maharashtra district last week. She left a note on her palm, accusing a police sub-inspector (PSI) of rape and a software engineer of mental harassment.The deceased hailed from Wadvani taluka of Beed district in the Marathwada region and was posted in Phaltan.Doctor's SuicideRelatives of a woman government doctor have demanded capital punishment for

the two men named by her in a note, including a cop.A relative claimed that the doctor had complained multiple times about harassment, but her grievances were not addressed.Another relative, who is also a doctor, said, "Police told us about the incident (suicide) and we went to the hospital (where the body was brought). Being a doctor, I told them I will remain present for the autopsy. That time I saw the suicide note on her palm and conveyed this to police. I suggested that forensic experts should do the autopsy."A third relative claimed the victim was pressured to change medical reports at the hospital where she worked."Political people in Phaltan often asked her to change medical reports as she used to be regularly on autopsy duty. She had complained multiple times against the PSI (named in the note), but her complaints were not looked into," the relative stated."A medical officer tortured the lady doctor. He used to assign her autopsy duty repeatedly," the kin claimed."Just apprehending the accused is not enough. They should be hanged to ensure justice to the doctor and her family," emphasised the relative.Besides naming a police officer -- sub-inspector Gopal Badane -- of sexual assault and a techie, Prashant Bankar, of mental harassment, the doctor also mentioned a former MP in another four-page suicide letter. The case has sparked a massive political row in Maharashtra, with the Opposition alleging that the doctor was victimised by criminals.Fresh Twist The fresh allegations by Bhagyashree Pachangne - a woman from Satara - have added a new layer to the case. Her daughter, Deepali, was married to Ajinkya Hanmant Nimbalkar, an Indian Army officer. Deepali was found dead on August 19.Bhagyashree Pachangne claims her daughter was murdered by her husband and in-laws, who she claimed subjected her to continuous mental and physical abuse.She alleged that police did not provide her the postmortem report even five days after Deepali's death. The police later submitted a fabricated report a after a month, the woman alleged. She alleged that the police tried to cover up the incident after the his daughter's husband used his political and police connections to suppress the case.Arrests In The CaseSoftware engineer Prashant Bankar, the son of her landlord, whom the doctor accused of mental harassment, was arrested by the police from Pune on Saturday.Later, police sub-inspector Gopal Badane, whom the doctor accused of rape, surrendered. He was suspended from service after his name came up during the probe into the case.A case of rape and abetment of suicide had been registered against the two men in Satara district's Phaltan.