Devendra Fadnavis orders setting up of SIT to probe death of woman doctor in Phaltan

Beed: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged suicide of a woman doctor in Satara district last week, an official said.

The doctor, hailing from Beed district of central Maharashtra, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan on October 23. In a suicide note written on her palm, she alleged that sub-inspector Gopal Badane raped her on multiple occasions, while Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her. Both have been arrested.

Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, has directed the state Director General of Police to constitute an SIT under a woman IPS officer immediately, the official said on Friday.

The move comes amid pressure from citizens and political parties seeking justice for the deceased's kin. The victim's family had also appealed for an SIT investigation to ensure stern punishment for the culprits.

BJP leader Chitra Wagh thanked the chief minister for the decision to set up an SIT.