Kolhapur: In a new revelation in the Satara woman doctor suicide case, hospital records show that the deceased medical officer had conducted 113 out of 431 postmortems at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital since January 2023. Officials and colleagues confirmed that she often worked multiple 24-hour shifts without rest, despite repeated advice from staff to take breaks.
Heavy Workload Raises Questions
According to sources, the number of postmortems handled by the doctor was significantly higher than that of her colleagues over her two years of service. Data reveals that she conducted 30 postmortems in 2023, 47 in 2024, and 36 in 2025 before her death in October.
Hospital officials stated that no one forced her to take on such a large workload. “She was advised to share duties, but insisted on reporting for work more frequently,” said a senior official. Despite being relieved from postmortem duties multiple times — including during her NEET-PG preparations — she repeatedly requested reinstatement.
Family Alleges Pressure, Demands SIT Probe
Her family, speaking at a press conference in Beed, alleged that the excessive workload could have been a form of administrative pressure. “We want to know why my sister handled so many postmortems compared to others and demand an inquiry into all the cases she examined,” said her sister.
Satara Civil Surgeon Dr. Yuvraj Karape clarified that the doctor was never forced into additional duties. “She was even authorized to assign tasks to others. The inquiry panel found she voluntarily reported to duty more often than her peers,” he said.
Colleagues Describe Dedication, Ignored Advice
Medical Superintendent Dr. Anshuman Dhumal told TOI that a day before her death, the doctor joined hospital staff in Diwali celebrations, and was advised to take leave to visit her parents. “She preferred working long shifts instead. Since January, she performed 36 postmortems, while another doctor did 24. Even I, though a gynaecologist, did three,” he said.
Family Suspects Phone Tampering After Death
Meanwhile, controversy continues over allegations that the doctor’s mobile phone was accessed posthumously using her fingerprint, erasing crucial data. Her relatives claim her WhatsApp ‘last seen’ was active even after her death, fueling suspicion of tampering.
Police officials confirmed receiving the postmortem report, which cited “asphyxia due to hanging” as the cause of death. There were no signs of forced entry in the hotel room. A pen used to write on her palm and a photo of the note stored on her mobile phone were recovered.
The suicide note accused Police Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane of repeated rape and software engineer Prashant Bankar of mental harassment. Both have been arrested in the case.
Political Support and Local Protests
Leaders including Prakash Ambedkar (VBA) and Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress) have extended support to the doctor’s family, who have demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and that the trial be shifted to Beed district for impartiality.
Residents of Wadwani (Beed) observed a bandh demanding justice. State representative Dr. Omprakash Shete met the family and assured that Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis would be briefed on their concerns.
CID Verification Underway
Satara Police have sent the photo of the suicide note and handwriting samples to the Maharashtra CID for verification. Officials added that the doctor, previously posted at Wai, had renewed her Phaltan contract twice, indicating her willingness to continue at the same location.
Authorities are now probing multiple angles, including workplace stress, harassment, and possible data tampering, as the demand for a judicially monitored SIT investigation grows across Maharashtra’s medical community.
