The family of Prashant Bankar, one of the two individuals detained in relation to the suicide of a 29-year-old doctor employed at a Maharashtra government hospital, has presented new assertions regarding her connection with him. They state that Bankar and the doctor had been in a romantic relationship which later deteriorated. Previous police inquiries indicated that their bond had strengthened over several months, but conflicts arose following a disagreement. The doctor reportedly took her own life in Satara last Thursday. In a note partially inscribed on her palm and a four-page letter, she accused sub-inspector Gopal Badane of ongoing sexual assault and Prashant Bankar of harassment in recent months.
Bankar’s sister informed Hindustan Times that the doctor had sent a marriage proposal to her brother via text message in October, which he declined, stating he viewed her as an elder sister. She asserted that the doctor, distressed by his refusal, mentioned his name in her suicide note. She also noted that the doctor had treated Prashant for dengue, leading to their closeness during that time. “A day before her death, she made multiple calls to Prashant. We have provided screenshots of her messages and calls to the police,” she stated. Bankar’s brother, Sushant, refuted the harassment claims, emphasizing that the doctor had celebrated Diwali with their family, which raises questions about the validity of the accusations.
“We even have photos of her celebrating Diwali with us,” he mentioned, asserting that the doctor had previously threatened to end her life. He added that she had been residing in their rented apartment for the past year and seemed emotionally troubled in the days preceding her death.
