Congress demands SIT, judicial probe into Maharashtra woman doctor’s death

The Congress on Thursday (October 30, 2025) launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the alleged suicide of a woman government doctor in Maharashtra’s Satara district, saying that law and order in the State has “collapsed”. The party demanded a judicial inquiry and a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the incident.

Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad said the incident exposed the “BJP-RSS’ mentality towards the deprived and women” and demanded justice for the 28-year-old doctor who was found dead at a hotel in Phaltan on October 23.

In a note written on her palm, the doctor accused police sub-inspector Gopal Badane of repeatedly raping her and software engineer Prashant Bankar of mental harassment.

“What happened shows that law and order in Maharashtra has collapsed,” Ms. Gaikwad said, flanked by State Congress general secretary Atul Londhe Patil.

She alleged that the doctor had been “fighting political pressure” from the BJP’s former MP Ranjit Naik Nimbalkar and others. “How did [Chief Minister] Devendra Fadnavis give a clean chit to the accused without any investigation? Whom is he trying to protect,” she asked.

Ms. Gaikwad said the Congress wants that “the truth in this case must come out”. “An SIT and judicial inquiry should be formed to investigate this case. The accused named in the suicide note should be arrested immediately. A Women Doctors’ Safety Act should be enacted,” she said.

Mr. Londhe said that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has spoken to the victim’s family, assuring them of justice.

(Those in distress can call the helplines: Connecting NGO, 1800 843 4353 (Toll-Free)/9922001122, Daily: 12 noon to 8 p.m., Pune)

(Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts are encouraged to seek help and counselling by calling the helpline numbers here)