Phaltan hospital doctor dies days after suicide attempt amid harassment allegations
A doctor attached to the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Maharashtra's Satara district died during treatment on Monday, days after attempting suicide and alleging that he had been harassed, police said.
Dr Rajendra Rupnavar attempted suicide on Thursday morning by climbing a high-tension electricity tower at Sion railway station in Mumbai.
Police and fire brigade personnel rescued him from the tower and administered CPR before taking him to a hospital. However, his condition remained critical and he died during treatment on Monday afternoon, a police official said.
The incident followed an altercation at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in July involving Prasad Konde Deshmukh, who claimed to be the personal assistant of a former minister.
Deshmukh had allegedly visited the hospital seeking an out-of-turn medical fitness certificate for an arms licence. Rupnavar refused to issue the certificate, citing rules, leading to a heated exchange between the two.
Hospital authorities later issued the certificate, but Deshmukh allegedly threatened the doctor with serious consequences.
Following the incident, Rupnavar expressed distress over the alleged threats and posted a message on social media indicating that he intended to end his life. The Phaltan City Police subsequently registered a case against Deshmukh for allegedly obstructing a public servant from performing his duties.
However, the hospital's medical superintendent also ordered an internal inquiry against Rupnavar. The inquiry report was allegedly delayed, and the doctor was not given a copy of it.
Rupnavar travelled to Mumbai last week and posted a video on social media seeking action against the medical superintendent. He subsequently attempted suicide at Sion railway station.
The government has suspended the medical superintendent, while further investigation into the matter is underway, officials said. (with inputs from PTI)
