Satara district in Maharashtra is witnessing a wave of outrage following the death by suicide of a 29-year-old doctor posted at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital. Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the case, including a police sub-inspector accused of sexual assault. The incident has raised serious questions about the conduct of officials and systemic lapses in addressing harassment complaints.

The doctor was found dead in her hotel room in Phaltan on Thursday. According to police officials, she left a suicide note written on her hand, which accused Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, of mental harassment, and Gopal Badane, a police sub-inspector, of sexually assaulting her. Bankar is reportedly the son of the doctor’s landlord.

Following the discovery of the suicide note, police took swift action. Bankar was arrested from a farmhouse near Pune late on Friday night, while Badane surrendered at the Phaltan Rural Police Station on the same day, Satara SP Tushar Doshi confirmed. Authorities have also suspended the officers involved in the case amid mounting public criticism.

The investigation revealed that the doctor and Bankar had been in a personal relationship for several months. Sources from the police stated that the relationship had soured in recent weeks, leading to frequent arguments. Senior police officials noted that chats and call records between the two indicated a pattern of possessiveness and emotional tension. Bankar’s sister confirmed that the pair had rekindled contact the previous month when Bankar was undergoing treatment for dengue, and she added that screenshots of calls and messages were handed over to the police as evidence.

Reports indicate that following the fallout in the relationship, Bankar’s father allegedly requested the intervention of Sub-Inspector Badane. This has led to the allegation that the police officer was involved in the sexual harassment that the doctor referenced in her suicide note.

The case has also taken a political dimension. In earlier submissions to a committee investigating harassment complaints, the doctor alleged coercion by personnel associated with a Member of Parliament, who allegedly asked her to cooperate in official work. While she did not name the MP in her complaint, opposition leaders have accused former BJP MP from Madha, Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar, of exerting undue pressure. Naik has denied the allegations, calling them “baseless claims.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the media in Mumbai on Friday, describing the doctor’s death as “deeply tragic” and promising strict action against those responsible. He urged political parties not to politicise the matter, while reiterating that the police officers involved had been suspended.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, highlighting concerns about the safety of women in professional spaces, particularly in government and law enforcement environments. Civil society groups and healthcare associations have called for an independent inquiry into the harassment allegations, as well as stronger mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and victims of sexual misconduct.

As the investigation continues, authorities are examining the relationships, messages, and communications among the accused and the victim to piece together a timeline of events leading up to her death. The case underscores the pressing need for accountability in law enforcement and the critical importance of providing safe channels for reporting harassment, particularly for young professionals working in sensitive roles.