Maharashtra woman doctor suicide: Opposition alleges political, police complicity

The NCP (SP) on Saturday raised serious concerns over the alleged suicide of a 28-year-old woman doctor in Maharashtra's Satara district, alleging the involvement of politicians and police officials.

Only one of the accused named in the doctor's suicide note has been arrested while the other, a police officer, remains absconding, noted party spokesperson Clyde Crasto.

"The inability of authorities to locate him raises serious doubts and questions," he said.

Crasto further alleged that the doctor had been harassed by an MP, and asked whether the MP was being shielded.

"The authorities must find out why the doctor was being pressurised by the MP, his aides, and the police to issue fake fitness certificates for arrested persons in police cases," the NCP (SP) leader said.

He also criticised chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and said the Opposition was not politicising the issue as alleged by the government, but it was seeking justice for an innocent woman.

"It is the duty of the CM and Home Minister to make citizens feel safe. Fear of law seems to be fading in Maharashtra, and strict action must be taken to set an example so that criminals start fearing law," Crasto said.

BJP ex-MP Ranjitsinh Nimbalkar's name crops up

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accused former BJP MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar of pressurising the woman doctor who allegedly committed suicide two days ago, a charge Naik denied.

Talking to reporters, Danve claimed that two personal assistants of Nimbalkar facilitated a call between him and the woman doctor, and he should be made an accused in the case.

The former MP and his PAs pressurised the doctor to declare fit accused (brought to government hospital for medical examination after arrest) as unfit and vice versa, Danve alleged.

"His (Nimbalkar) PAs pressurised the doctor and also facilitated a call....It is necessary to take action against them. The doctor has clearly stated that two PAs facilitated a call with the former MP," he said.

The 28-year-old woman doctor working at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Satara district allegedly committed suicide on Thursday, leaving a note on her palm which accused a police sub-inspector of rape and mental harassment besides naming a software engineer.

Police on Saturday arrested software engineer Prashant Bankar while the accused police officer is absconding.

Danve, however, did not elaborate on how Nimbalkar was allegedly responsible for the doctor's suicide. A team of women police officers from outside Satara should probe this case, he demanded.

Speaking to reporters, Nimbalkar denied any connection with the suicide, and demanded that there should be a through probe into the matter including forensic and Call Data Record (CDR) analysis.

He alleged that there was an attempt to drag his name into this case and conduct a media trial.

"I am nowhere linked to the case and efforts are being made to drag me to this case," Nimbalkar said.

(With inputs from PTI)