Satara doctor suicide case: Medical fraternity demands immediate arrest, fair probe

Mumbai: To express solidarity and protest following the tragic suicide of a female doctor in Satara, doctors across Maharashtra have decided to wear black ribbons at work today to express their grief and demand justice for her.

The protest is supported by Central MARD (Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors). Their main demands include the immediate arrest of those named in the suicide note and a CID/SIT investigation for a fair inquiry. The association warned that if no action is taken, they will intensify their protest and launch statewide agitations demanding accountability and justice.

“Even after the Chief Medical Officer of Maharashtra ordered immediate and strict action, both accused have absconded and are not in custody. This lack of action has caused anger among doctors and raised concerns about the safety, dignity, and protection of medical professionals in public service,” the press release stated.

Also read- Satara Shocker: 28 year old doctor commits suicide, leaves note on palm alleging rape by cop

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a woman doctor working at a Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara district allegedly died by suicide, leaving a note on her palm, accusing a police officer and a software engineer of rape and mental harassment. While the police have arrested the software engineer, the police officer remains at large.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra Chapter, also strongly condemned the incident and called for urgent justice, accountability, and reforms to protect doctors from harassment, stress, and workplace exploitation.

IMA Maharashtra sent a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding the immediate suspension and arrest of the accused and a judicial inquiry.

“The IMA Maharashtra State stands with the doctor’s family and the medical fraternity. We strongly condemn the negligence and intimidation that led to this tragedy and urge the government to take immediate, firm, and transparent action to ensure justice and reforms,” the letter said.

Their key demands include:

1. Judicial Inquiry and Immediate Suspension:

Immediate suspension & arrest of the police and administrative personnel named in the complaint, followed by a judicially monitored, impartial, and time-bound inquiry into the circumstances leading to her death.

2. Institutional Accountability:

Identification of responsible officials in the health administration who ignored repeated written and verbal complaints of harassment, with appropriate disciplinary and legal action.

3. Statewide Mental Health and Grievance Redressal Cell for Doctors:

Establishment of a permanent, confidential Mental Health and Grievance Redressal Cell under the Directorate of Health Services to offer psychological counselling, legal guidance, and emergency assistance to doctors facing workplace distress or harassment.

4. Mandatory Mental Health Protocols in All Government Hospitals:

Implementation of structured mental health screening, stress-management programs, and periodic counselling for all doctors, especially those serving in isolated or high-pressure postings.

5. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Departmental Inquiries:

Development and enforcement of humane, transparent, and time-bound SOPs for departmental and disciplinary proceedings to prevent coercion, humiliation, or bias.

6. Whistleblower and Workplace Protection Policy:

Immediate inclusion of whistleblower protection clauses within the health administration framework, ensuring immunity for doctors who report harassment, abuse of authority, or unsafe work conditions.

7. Appointment of Doctor Welfare Nodal Officers:

Appointment of dedicated Doctor Welfare Nodal Officers at district and state levels, empowered to directly intervene in cases of administrative conflict, mental health distress, or professional grievance.

8. Legal Reform for Protection of Medical Personnel:

Amendment and strengthening of the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, expanding its scope to include administrative harassment, mental health harm, and workplace intimidation as punishable offences.

Also read- Maha Doctors warn of protest if govt fails to act on safety demands