Key Points:
- Dr. Sampada Munde, medical officer at Phaltan sub-district hospital, found dead in hotel room late Wednesday night, October 23, 2025
- Suicide note written on her palm accused PSI Gopal Badne of raping her four times and causing five months of physical and mental torture
- Second police officer Prashant Bankar also named in note for alleged mental harassment
- Dr. Munde was under departmental inquiry after Phaltan Rural Police booked her for “obstructing medical investigation”
- Family claims she faced pressure to alter post-mortem report in ongoing case involving political figures
- NCP (SP) leaders Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar demanded strict action and safe working environment for women doctors
- Dr. Munde had written to Deputy Superintendent of Police on June 19, 2025, raising harassment allegations and warning of suicide
Satara(Maharashtra): Dr. Sampada Munde, a medical officer posted at Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara district, was found dead in a locked hotel room in Phaltan town late Wednesday night, October 23, 2025. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM on the night of Bhai Dooj festival. Police reached the location after receiving information and recovered her body from the hotel. Preliminary investigations suggest she died by hanging. Her body was sent for post-mortem examination, and police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
Chilling Suicide Note on Palm
What initially appeared to be a case of personal distress transformed into a major scandal when investigators discovered a suicide note written on Dr. Munde’s palm. The handwritten message explicitly named Police Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne, accusing him of raping her four times and subjecting her to physical and mental abuse for over five months. The note stated, “Police inspector Gopal Badne is the reason I died. He raped me four times. Badne subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for over five months”. The suicide note also mentioned police officer Prashant Bankar, alleging he caused her severe mental distress.
Ongoing Dispute with Police Department
Dr. Munde had been embroiled in a contentious dispute with Phaltan Rural Police over a medical examination for several months prior to her death. Police had recently booked her for allegedly “obstructing a medical investigation,” following which the Satara District Surgeon ordered a departmental inquiry against her. A special committee had been formed to investigate the matter. According to sources, this professional conflict created immense mental pressure on the young doctor, who felt she was being unfairly targeted.
Prior Warnings Ignored
Dr. Munde had repeatedly warned senior officials about the harassment she was experiencing and explicitly stated she would take her own life if the situation continued. On June 19, 2025, she submitted a formal written complaint to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Sub-Divisional Office in Phaltan, raising allegations of harassment. She had approached multiple senior officers in both the police and health departments, complaining that she was being treated unfairly. Sources revealed that Dr. Munde had written to senior police authorities about her situation, warning that continued harassment could push her to take an extreme step. Despite these repeated pleas for intervention, her complaints appear to have been ignored by superiors.
Family Allegations of Political Pressure
Dr. Munde’s family members have made explosive allegations that extend beyond individual police officers to suggest a broader conspiracy involving political figures. Her uncle claimed that she was under immense pressure to alter a post-mortem report in an ongoing case—pressure allegedly coming from within the police department itself. In an interview with media, her brother alleged that there was pressure to change post-mortem reports and implicated a member of parliament’s personal assistant in the harassment. The family is demanding that Call Detail Records (CDR) be examined to trace all communications and identify everyone involved in putting pressure on the deceased doctor.
Political Response and Demands for Justice
The case has sparked political outrage across Maharashtra, particularly with state assembly elections approaching. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) leaders Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar have demanded strict action against those involved and stressed the urgent need to ensure a safe working environment for women professionals. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and dignity of women doctors working in government hospitals. Political leaders and medical associations are calling for immediate suspension of the accused police officers and a high-level independent investigation into the circumstances leading to Dr. Munde’s death.
Investigation Status
Police have confirmed that all individuals named in the suicide note have been identified, and questioning has begun. Officials stated they are examining the case from every possible angle to determine the actual cause of her death. The post-mortem report is still pending, and authorities have indicated that confirmation of sexual assault allegations will only be possible after forensic examination results are available. A detailed probe is currently underway into the dispute between Dr. Munde and the district police, the departmental inquiry proceedings against her, and the specific allegations she raised in her June complaint to senior police officials.
Systemic Issues Highlighted
This tragic incident has once again brought to the forefront the intense work pressure, administrative difficulties, and mental stress faced by healthcare workers in government hospitals. The case has reignited discussions about the need for institutional mechanisms to protect medical professionals from harassment and ensure their complaints are taken seriously. Medical professionals and civil society organizations are demanding urgent reforms to create safer working environments and establish independent grievance redressal systems that can address complaints without bias.
