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Mumbai, Oct 25 (IANS) Following the tragic suicide of a 26-year-old female doctor after she was repeatedly raped by a police officer in Satara and pressured by an MP to fudge the medical reports of the accused in jail, there is a wave of anger in the medical fraternity over the issue. Resident doctors, under the banner of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), protested at KEM Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday over this issue. As part of their demonstration, doctors wore black armbands to express grief and anger over the incident.
Over 8,000 resident doctors from across the state participated in the protest, demanding justice and a thorough investigation into the case by the CID or a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Many women doctors at KEM Hospital expressed fear and insecurity, saying they were worried that such incidents could happen again if action is not taken.
Speaking to IANS, resident doctor Sameer Warge said, “After this incident, we have tied black ribbons and are holding a working protest. OPD and emergency services have not been stopped. However, if our demands are not met, we will intensify the protest. We are demanding immediate arrest of the accused and proper functioning of the POSH committee so that the spirit of accountability and deterrence is maintained. For now, we We are continuing our duties, but if this situation continues then we will be forced to stop work.
Another protesting doctor said, “The most painful thing is that despite repeated complaints, no one listened to her and no action was taken. Ultimately, she took her life. This is extremely unfortunate. There should be strict action, and a transparent investigation – preferably by the CBI or an independent agency. The women’s complaints should be heard, and the POSH Act should be implemented properly.”
Resident doctor Bhumika said, “This is our silent protest. We are tying black ribbons on our arms to condemn the incident. We have not stopped medical services, but we demand a transparent, time-bound investigation and arrest of those responsible. There should also be a committee to monitor the pressure on doctors. POSH should be implemented effectively so that doctors, especially women, feel safe.”
Seenam, another resident doctor, said, “This is a very unfortunate incident. We want our demands to be met. If no action is taken, we will be forced to stop work. As doctors, we are here to serve, but we also deserve a safe and respectful workplace.”
Meanwhile, a woman doctor who allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra’s Satara district has left behind a detailed four-page suicide note, besides an inked note on the palm of her hand, in which she has said that a police officer raped her four times and pressurized her to issue fake fitness certificates of accused in police cases. Now it has come to light in her note that she was allegedly under pressure not only from police officials but also from a Member of Parliament (MP) and his personal assistants.
The woman doctor, who worked as a medical officer at Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara, also wrote in a note written on the palm of her hand that Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne had raped her four times and subjected her to mental and physical abuse for more than five months.
The woman doctor, a resident of Beed district, had been serving at the hospital for 23 months and was just a month away from completing her bond period for service in the rural area when she took the extreme step out of frustration.
In his four-page suicide note, he wrote that police officials pressured him to issue fake fitness certificates for the accused, many of whom were not even brought for medical examination. She said in her note that when she refused to comply, she would be harassed by sub-inspector Gopal Badne and others.
She said, “The reason for my death is Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne who raped me and who, posing as Prashant, tortured me mentally and physically for 4 months.”
–IANS
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