Woman doctor’s suicide: Will not rest till justice served, won’t tolerate politics, says Fadnavis
Satara.(PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said he will not rest till justice is delivered in the alleged suicide of a woman doctor in Satara district, asserting that he also won’t tolerate attempts to politicise the matter.
During the day, state minister Pankaja Munde and former minister Dhananjay Munde visited the doctor's kin at their place in Beed district and demanded a high-level investigation into the case.
Speaking after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of several development works at Phaltan in Satara, Fadnavis said, “An attempt was made that I don't come for this programme. Former MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar and local MLA Sachin Patil's names were linked to the case. If I had an iota of doubt, I would have myself cancelled my visit.”
The CM also said he will not tolerate attempts to politicise the doctor's death.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday termed the doctor’s alleged suicide an “institutionalised murder” and claimed her death exposes the “inhuman and insensitive” nature of the BJP-led government.
The doctor, hailing from Beed district in the Marathwada region of central Maharashtra and posted at a government hospital in Satara district, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town on Thursday night.
In the suicide note written on her palm, she alleged that police sub-inspector Gopal Badane raped her on multiple occasions, while Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her.
The sub-inspector and the engineer were arrested on Saturday.
Fadnavis said he would never compromise on ensuring justice for his “younger sister”, whose death by suicide was extremely tragic and unfortunate.
The doctor wrote a suicide note on her palm, and both the accused have been arrested, he said.
“I will not rest till justice is delivered,” said Fadnavis, who also heads the home department.
A relative of the doctor had alleged that she complained multiple times about harassment, but her grievances were not addressed. Another relative claimed the victim was pressured to change medical reports at the sub-district hospital where she worked.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve had accused former BJP MP Ranjitsingh Naik Nimbalkar of pressuring the doctor on one occasion in the past. Nimbalkar, however, denied the allegation, saying it had no truth, and his name was being dragged into the case deliberately.
BJP MLA Suresh Dhas has demanded that the “MP who allegedly tried to coerce” the woman doctor be made an accused in the case. He did not name any leader, though.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis also said that water from the Nira Deoghar dam should have been brought to Malshiras and Phaltan several years ago, but those in power previously did not want that to happen and diverted the water rightfully of Phaltan to other regions.
The CM asserted his government works for the all-round development of the state.
Development schemes, including the waiver of electricity bills for farmers and the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme for women, will never be stopped, he added.
His party colleague Pankaja Munde visited the doctor’s family and assured them of justice. She called the incident “extremely painful”.
The state minister of environment and climate change, and animal husbandry said she will soon meet the CM seeking a high-level investigation.
Former minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, who represents the Parli constituency in Beed district, also met the family and demanded an impartial investigation, preferably under senior women officers.
He said it must be determined whether it was a case of suicide or murder.
“I have already spoken to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the matter and will meet him in Mumbai to demand a detailed and transparent probe,” Munde said.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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