Doctor suicide case: The dead victim’s phone reveals new details

As per the Satara police chief, TusharDoshi, police have recovered chats between the doctor and the two accused.

The 28-year-old doctor’s suicide in Maharashtra’s Satara takes a new turn as the deceased victim’s phone reveals details. Police have found that the doctor was texting one of the accused in the suicide abetment and indicated that she was on the edge.

The doctor’s phone reveals new details.

It is learnt that the victim attended a puja at the accused Prashant Banker’s home before her death. It is said that she left after an argument and checked into a hotel, where she allegedly died by suicide. The next day, her body was found in the hotel room. A note was found scribbled on her palm, accusing the now-suspended police sub-inspector Gopal Badane of sexually assaulting her. It also accused Bankar, a software engineer and the son of the doctor’s landlord, of prolonged mental harassment. Both have been arrested. As per the Satara police chief, TusharDoshi, the police have now recovered chats between the doctor and the two accused, Badane and Bankar, who have already been arrested. The doctor’s communication with Badane stopped in March, but she remained in touch with Bankar and was at his home before moving to a hotel where she died. Police also found that a dispute between the doctor and the police inspector had been resolved through a meeting.

“The deceased was at Bankar’s house.”

While interacting with the media, the chairperson of the Maharashtra Women’s Commission, RupaliChakankar, said the doctor visited Bankar’s house for a Lakshmi Puja. “On LaxmiPujan day, the deceased was at Bankar’s house. Apparently, both had an argument over clicking photos because the pictures weren’t properly taken. After the argument, the doctor left the house. Bankar’s father went and brought her back home, but she left again to stay at a lodge,” Chakankar said. She added, “The call records of the deceased and the two accused reveal that the deceased was in touch with PSI Badane till March, and there was no communication between them after that.” She said the doctor sent messages to Bankar, indicating that she would take an extreme step. She is also learnt to have called him that night. The preliminary autopsy report suggested it was a case of suicide by hanging, she said.

Satara police chief Doshi confirmed that the doctor was in touch with Bankar before her death, and they exchanged messages. He said, “The probe is also underway into the rape allegations mentioned in the suicide note against PSI Badane, and their joint locations and chats are being examined.”