17 hrs ago
Doctor Dies After Sion Tower Suicide Attempt, Probe Demanded
Dr Rajendra Rupnavar was a doctor who worked at a hospital in Phaltan.
His family says he faced pressure after refusing to issue a medical certificate for a gun licence.
They also say he was suspended and investigated at work soon afterward.
On August 27, he travelled to Mumbai and climbed an electrical tower near Sion railway station.
Police and firefighters brought him down and took him to a hospital.
He later suffered serious complications and died on August 31.
Police are investigating whether events at his workplace contributed to what happened.
His family and medical groups want a fair investigation into the alleged pressure and workplace treatment.
Dr Rajendra Rupnavar allegedly attempted suicide at an electrical tower near Sion railway station on August 27.
His family and colleagues allege workplace pressure followed his refusal to issue a firearm-licence medical fitness certificate.
Rupnavar was suspended and faced a departmental inquiry at Phaltan Sub-District Hospital, according to his family.
He was rescued, taken to Sion Hospital, and died on August 31 after a cervical injury and cardiac arrest.
Police registered an abetment-to-suicide case, while the family and doctors’ groups demanded an impartial or SIT investigation.
- Who
- Dr Rajendra Rupnavar, his family, colleagues, police, hospital officials and medical organisations are involved in the case.
- What
- Rupnavar allegedly attempted suicide after climbing an electrical tower and later died in hospital; police registered an abetment-to-suicide case.
- Where
- The incident occurred near Sion railway station in Mumbai; the alleged preceding workplace events occurred at Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Satara district.
- When
- The tower incident occurred on August 27, and Rupnavar died on August 31.
- Why
- His family and colleagues allege that pressure over a disputed medical fitness certificate, suspension and a departmental inquiry contributed to his distress; investigators have not yet established the connection.
Family and Doctors’ Groups
Authorities and Investigation
Cause of distress
Family and Doctors’ Groups
Rupnavar’s family and colleagues allege that he was pressured after refusing to issue a medical fitness certificate for a firearm licence, then suspended and subjected to a departmental inquiry.
Authorities and Investigation
Police and hospital authorities have not established that the workplace dispute caused the suicide attempt; the connection remains under investigation.
Conduct at the hospital
Family and Doctors’ Groups
The family alleges that a person seeking the certificate threatened Rupnavar and later obtained the certificate from a senior doctor. They say Rupnavar was punished despite following his professional duty.
Authorities and Investigation
The allegations are the subject of a police investigation and an administrative inquiry; the senior doctor named by the family was unavailable for comment.
What investigation is needed
Family and Doctors’ Groups
Rupnavar’s family, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar and doctors’ organisations have called for an impartial SIT probe and stronger mechanisms for reporting workplace harassment.
Authorities and Investigation
The Dadar GRP registered the initial zero FIR and transferred the case to Satara police because the alleged preceding events occurred there; Satara police say a probe has begun.
Key facts
- Age
- Rupnavar was 28 years old.
- Tower incident
- He climbed an electrical tower near Sion railway station at about 8:30 a.m. on August 27.
- Rescue
- Fire brigade personnel brought him down using an automatic staircase and took him to Sion Hospital.
- Death
- Sion Hospital said he suffered a cervical injury, related complications and cardiac arrest before dying on August 31.
- Workplace
- Rupnavar worked as a contractual medical officer at Phaltan Sub-District Hospital for about one and a half years.
- Police case
- Dadar Government Railway Police registered a zero FIR alleging abetment to suicide and transferred it to Satara police.
- Administrative action
- Medical Superintendent Dr Leela Madane was suspended over alleged insensitivity, harsh communication, mismanagement and lack of administrative control.
Quotes
Sagar Rupnavakar
Brother of Rajendra Rupnavar
“We had received information that a man had climbed an electric tower and was visibly distressed. We alerted the fire brigade department and two teams reached the spot. We were all trying to pacify him, but he was in distress and was not in a position to listen.”
indianexpress.com
“My brother refused to issue the fitness certificate as there were some technical difficulties. The person threatened him, saying that he was a former minister’s personal assistant and that he would see how my brother survived in the hospital.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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