Dr Sampada Munde Case: Dr Neelam Gorhe Directs Satara District Hospital to Submit Two-Year Vishakha Committee Report; Police Asked to File Chargesheet Promptly

Mumbai, 31st October 2025: Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Dr Neelam Gorhe has taken serious cognizance of the suicide case of Dr Sampada Munde in Phaltan taluka of Satara district and issued several key directives to ensure transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation.

Dr Gorhe has directed the Satara District Hospital administration to immediately submit the Vishakha Committee report for the last two years. She also instructed the Satara Superintendent of Police’s office to file the chargesheet in the case within the stipulated time.

A review meeting regarding the case was convened, attended in person by Dr Kadambari Balkawade, Commissioner of Health Services, and Dr Nitin Ambadekar, Director of Health Services. Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi, District Civil Surgeon Dr Yuvraj Karpe, Phaltan Sub-District Hospital Superintendent Dr Anshuman Dhumal, and Pune Deputy Director of Health Services Dr B. Pawar participated virtually. Former member of the State Women’s Commission and Shiv Sena Mahila Aghadi office bearer Sangeeta Chavan was also present.

According to Dr Dhumal, Dr Sampada Munde was a contractual medical officer and had cordial relations with all her colleagues. No complaints were ever registered against her. Statements from two female doctors working in the postmortem department confirmed that there was no workplace pressure. Nearly 50 percent of the hospital’s staff are women, he added.

The district surgeon informed that the police had submitted some reports to the hospital, which were examined by the internal committee. However, no departmental inquiry has been initiated so far.

Taking note of these developments, Dr Gorhe directed that the Satara District Hospital compile and submit the Vishakha Committee reports from all hospitals under its jurisdiction for the past two years. She emphasized that there should be no delay in the investigation and that all agencies must work in coordination to ensure justice for the concerned parties.

She further instructed the police department to release information only through official bulletins to prevent the spread of unverified details.
Dr Gorhe also called for a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the functioning of Vishakha Committees and mandated that quarterly reports be submitted to the Law and Justice Department. To support doctors in high-pressure departments like postmortem and maternity, she suggested establishing a dedicated help desk for guidance and mental health assistance.

Additionally, she directed that in POCSO-related cases, hospitals should provide meals for an accompanying relative of the victim. For pregnant women, counseling and guidance should also be extended to their spouses. The Health Services Department has been asked to review and verify the positive practices at the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital.