Signing you in

He allegedly said he was being harassed, facing action, and that attempts were being made to remove him from service. He had sought government intervention and action against those responsible, his colleagues added.

Despite hardships, Dr Rupnavar earned admission to Grant Medical College in Mumbai and later joined as a contractual medical officer at Phaltan, where he served for one and a half years.

On July 29, he posted a suicide note written on his left palm as his WhatsApp status. Dr Apurv Dalvi, national coordinator of the All India Medical Students Association, immediately alerted the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

After Dr Santosh Kulkarni, IMA Maharashtra president, received a call from Dr Dalvi, he contacted Medical Superintendent Dr Leela Madane. “This was three weeks ago when we asked them to conduct a proper enquiry. Dr Madane informed us that he was fine and at his brother’s house,” Dr Kulkarni said.

However, Dr Bansude recalled that ‘Raj’—as he was known to his friends—was extremely upset. “I told him to forget this episode and move on. He came from a very poor family and had been alone from his early days; his uncle supported him. Only recently did he finish paying his loan and settle down,” Dr Bansude added.

According to his colleagues, Dr Rupnavar had travelled to Mumbai to bring the matter to the attention of senior authorities. They alleged that he was unable to meet the officials concerned.

Following his suicide bid, he was rushed to Sion Hospital in a critical condition. According to the Sion Hospital administration, Rupnavar had suffered a cervical injury and developed complications related to it. He subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest during treatment and died on August 31.

On Monday, Dr Leela Madane, Medical Superintendent of Phaltan Sub-District Hospital, was suspended, with the order stating that she had allegedly been insensitive and used harsh communication with junior medical officers. The order also mentioned that an inquiry committee had found mismanagement and lack of control in the hospital administration.

The central unit of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has demanded an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death. “We need a safe, dignified and supportive working environment for every doctor,” said MARD president Dr Atharva Shinde, calling for strong laws and institutional mechanisms to prevent mental harassment of doctors.