Maharashtra doctors stage protests demanding speedy probe into Phaltan suicide

Doctors across Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar staged protests on Sunday (November 2, 2025) demanding a speedy and impartial probe into the alleged suicide of a 28-year-old medical officer posted at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Satara. The doctor, who hailed from Beed district, was found dead in a hotel room on October 22, leaving a note on her hand naming a police official and two others for harassment.  

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has announced a phased agitation plan, culminating in a State-wide strike on November 3 and 4. “We will not stop until justice is served. If the government fails to act, all remaining medical services will also be suspended,” said Dr. Ravi Sapkal, vice-president of BMC MARD. Emergency and ICU services would continue, but OPD and non-emergency duties would be shut during the two-day strike.  

The agitation began on October 29 with doctors wearing black ribbons on duty, followed by black tape on their mouth on October 30 to signify silenced voices. Digital art and rangoli campaigns were held on October 31. Over the weekend, the MARD launched a Statewide social media drive with hashtags #JusticeForDoctors and #JusticeForPhaltanMO, culminating in candle marches at Gateway of India and CSMT on Sunday. On Saturday, a team of resident doctors visited the deceased’s native village to offer condolences and pledged full support to her family. 

Political pressure

The case has sparked outrage across Maharashtra’s medical fraternity. The Satara police have arrested Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and Prashant Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. Badne, named in the note, was suspended and remanded in custody till October 30. The deceased’s cousin alleged that the doctor faced political pressure to manipulate post-mortem reports. Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured strict action but faced criticism for giving a clean chit to former BJP MP Ranjeetsinh Naik Nimbalkar before the probe. 

On Saturday, the government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute. However, the MARD insists on an SIT under judicial supervision, headed by a retired High Court judge and a senior woman IPS officer, to ensure impartiality. In its press release, the MARD outlined sweeping demands, including a fast-track trial at Beed under a Special Public Prosecutor, accountability for negligent officials under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita provisions, implementation of the Health Protection Act, and creation of an Independent Medical Grievance Redressal Authority. The association also called for a Statewide mental health support system for doctors, activation of POSH and ICC committees in all hospitals, ₹5 crore compensation and a government job for one family member, legal protection for whistleblowers and witnesses, preservation of CCTV footage and call records, and periodic public disclosure of investigation findings. It further sought the formation of a State-level committee to review doctors’ working conditions and safety. 

The MARD strongly criticised defamatory and insensitive remarks circulating in the media, including comments by the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. “Such statements are deeply disappointing and unbecoming, particularly when directed towards a deceased woman doctor who cannot defend herself,” the association said, urging media and officials to maintain dignity and sensitivity. 

Meanwhile. Opposition leader Ambadas Danve met MARD representatives on Sunday in Mumbai, pledging to raise the issue strongly on legislative forums. “This incident is a turning point for Maharashtra’s medical community,” the MARD said, calling for structural reforms to safeguard doctors from administrative harassment and political interference. If demands remain unmet, the MARD warned of a massive assembly at Azad Maidan, underscoring that the agitation will remain peaceful but resolute.