Maharashtra, Oct 27 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday defended former BJP MP from Madha, Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar, and sitting NCP MLA from Phaltan, Sachin Patil, denying any link between them and the alleged suicide of a government doctor in Satara district.
Addressing a public event after inaugurating several projects in Satara and Solapur, Fadnavis said, “Some people are politicising everything. Without any reason, attempts were made to drag Naik Nimbalkar and Patil’s names into the case. Maharashtra knows who Devabhau is. If there had been any evidence against them, I would have cancelled the programme and not come here.”
The Chief Minister was joined at the event by both leaders and other Mahayuti members.
The doctor was found dead in a Satara hotel room on October 23, with a suicide note written on her palm alleging sexual assault and harassment by her landlord’s son, Prashant Bankar, and police sub-inspector Gopal Badane. Both accused have been arrested.
However, Opposition parties claimed the doctor had earlier complained about pressure from local police and a BJP MP to manipulate medical reports to help certain accused individuals. They alleged that Naik Nimbalkar and Patil were among those involved.
Rejecting the claims, Fadnavis said the police acted promptly, adding, “The accused were arrested immediately, and the investigation is underway. We will not remain silent until justice is served.”
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress intensified their criticism. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accused Fadnavis of interfering in the probe, saying, “Is the Chief Minister an investigating officer? How can he declare someone innocent before the police report is out?”
Danve also shared an alleged letter written by the deceased doctor, accusing Naik Nimbalkar of pressuring her to issue a fitness certificate to an accused.
Naik Nimbalkar refuted the allegations, calling them politically motivated. “The Opposition is dragging my name just to malign CM Fadnavis and the BJP,” he said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, reacting on X, termed the incident “an institutional murder,” stating, “When power becomes a shield for criminals, justice becomes impossible. The doctor’s death exposes the inhuman and insensitive face of this BJP government.”