Female doctor suicide shows law and order breakdown in Maharashtra: Congress
Mumbai (PTI): The Opposition Congress on Friday hit out at the Mahayuti government over the suicide of a female doctor posted at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Satara district, for which two cops are under the lens, saying the incident reflects a breakdown in law and order.
The incident raises grave concerns about the safety of women when those entrusted with their protection reportedly turned perpetrators, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, referring to the policemen named by the deceased in her suicide note.
The 28-year-old doctor, originally hailing from Beed district in central Maharashtra, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town late on Thursday night, police said.
In a suicide note written on her palm, the physician, posted in Satara district in western Maharashtra, accused two policemen of rape and mental harassment, they said.
According to the suicide note, she was allegedly harassed four times by Police Sub-Inspector Prashant Bankar (one of the two cops named by the victim), causing severe mental trauma, Sawant stated.
Pointing out that if an educated professional felt compelled to take such an extreme step, the plight of ordinary women could be even more vulnerable, he said in a statement.
The incident clearly reflects a breakdown in law and order in the state, Sawant claimed.
"Authorities have been urged to ensure swift justice. There are demands for the accused to face the severest punishment and for the case to be fast-tracked in court to restore public confidence in the law enforcement system," the Congress spokesperson maintained.
Taking cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the immediate suspension of the policemen named by the doctor in her suicide note.
The other policeman named in the note was sub-inspector Gopal Badane, whom the doctor accused of raping and sexually harassing her on multiple occasions.
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
