Heavy deployment of cops at Phaltan sub-district hospital on Tuesday
Maharashtra govt has now suspended medical superintendent Dr Leela Madane and police have booked her for abetment of suicide following the death of 27-year-old medical officer Dr Rajendra Rupanvar, whose recent allegations of harassment and workplace pressure had triggered a departmental inquiry. The two men assaulted Dr Rupanvar inside Madane’s cabin on July 28 after he refused to comply, according to the family. July 29: Phaltan city police register an FIR against two men in connection with the alleged assault Aug 31: Dadar Govt Railway Police register an FIR against Madane for allegedly abetting Rupanvar’s suicide.
The case is later transferred to Phaltan city police station ________ You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
State health minister Prakash Abitkar said govt would pursue action against all those found responsible. We are going to initiate action against all those linked to the death of the doctor,” Abitkar told TOI . We had approached the sessions court for permission; however, by then there was an HC order,” said inspector Ghanshyam Ballal, of Phaltan city police.
Kolhapur: Less than a year after a doctor linked to Phaltan sub-district hospital died by suicide alleging harassment and pressure over official duties, another similar tragedy has hit the hospital. “It is a very unfortunate incident. Immediately after the alleged assault took place on Dr Rupanvar, police had registered an FIR. An inquiry committee was set up over allegations that he was being pressured by higher authorities. He was a temporary doctor and it was the start of his career. The complaint leading to the abetment case was filed by Dr Rupanvar’s brother, Sagar. The case, initially registered at Dadar GRP police station, has since been transferred to Phaltan city police. Sagar alleged that his brother was pressured to clear fitness certificates for two men, including one with political affiliations. Phaltan city police had registered an FIR in connection with the assault a day later. “After the first FIR was registered, the two men approached the high court and got pre-arrest bail. We got their statements recorded as per the procedure. We cannot arrest in such cases when the punishment is less than three years. His relatives refused to take custody of his body and staged a protest outside the Sion hospital. They want the names of those who troubled Rupanvar, including the men who attacked him, to be included in the suicide abetment FIR . Download the TOI App.
The doctor’s death triggered protests both in Mumbai and Satara on Tuesday.
Dr Rajendra Rupanvar, 27-year-old medical officer of Phaltan sub-district hospital Dr Rajendra Rupanvar, 27-year-old medical officer of Phaltan sub-district hospital The family further alleged that the young doctor was repeatedly threatened with loss of salary and termination of service, and was frequently deputed to far-flung govt hospitals. In one video, Rupanvar threatened to commit suicide on Aug 29. He went to Mumbai on Aug 26 and stayed with relatives.
In the weeks before his death, Rupanvar recorded videos and left written notes alleging pressure from senior colleagues and naming those he held responsible. He went to Sion the next day and attempted suicide.
Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara Protesters at Phaltan Protesters at Phaltan Heavy deployment of cops at Phaltan sub-district Hospital on Tuesday Heavy deployment of cops at Phaltan sub-district hospital on Tuesday Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara Protesters at Phaltan Protesters at Phaltan Heavy deployment of cops at Phaltan sub-district Hospital on Tuesday Heavy deployment of cops at Phaltan sub-district hospital on Tuesday Dr Rupanvar died at Mumbai’s Sion hospital on Monday, four days after he allegedly attempted suicide by hanging himself from a tower near Sion railway station on Aug 27. Significantly, Madane was suspended on Aug 30, a day before the young doctor succumbed. It states that Madane allegedly treated junior medical officers and staff harshly and flags concerns over handling of arms licence cases, issuance of medical certificates beyond duty hours, and the alleged assault on Rupanvar inside her (Madane’s) cabin by outsiders on July 28. In Oct 2025, a medical officer attached to Phaltan sub-district hospital was found dead in a hotel room. TIMELINE Five Weeks, Two FIRs, One Death: From an alleged assault inside a hospital cabin to a suicide abetment case, a series of developments over five weeks culminated in the death of doctor Rajendra Rupanvar and the suspension of Dr Leela Madane, the medical superintendent of Phaltan sub-district hospital July 28: Dr Rajendra Rupanvar is allegedly assaulted inside the cabin of Dr Leela Madane, the medical superintendent of Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara July 30: Rupanvar is transferred to Satara Civil Hospital Aug 8: An inquiry report prepared by a team appointed by the Satara district civil surgeon is submitted to state health services department Aug 24: Bombay high court’s Kolhapur bench grants anticipatory bail to the two alleged attackers Aug 27: Rupanvar allegedly attempts suicide by jumping from a tower near Sion railway station in Mumbai. He is rescued with injuries and admitted to Sion hospital Aug 30: State health services commissioner Sanjay Katkar suspends Madane Aug 31: Rupanvar dies while undergoing treatment at Sion hospital
We will initiate the inquiry and take action according to the law,” Ballal said. He was rescued, but suffered critical injuries. The suspension order cites findings of a preliminary inquiry and a report by a panel appointed by the civil surgeon. The panel also found mismanagement and lack of administrative control at the hospital. He added the investigation would now proceed under the abetment of suicide case. “Now we have got the abetment of suicide case transferred to our police station. In Phaltan, demonstrators gathered outside the sub-district hospital, while villagers blocked the Phaltan-Pandharpur road at Natepute demanding action. Malshiras MLA Uttam Jankar joined the agitation. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has sought strict legal action and warned of a statewide agitation if those responsible are not held accountable. The tragedy has revived memories of a strikingly similar case at the same hospital. She too had accused individuals of harassment and mental torture before her death. Like Rupanvar, she had allegedly faced pressure over issuing fitness certificates and left a message naming those she blamed. The then medical superintendent of the hospital was transferred. Rupanvar too had written names on his palm and left notes alleging harassment before his suicide attempt. The back-to-back deaths of two doctors associated with the same hospital have raised serious questions about workplace conditions, administrative oversight and the protection available to medical professionals facing pressure while performing official duties.
