Satara District Hospital Ordered to Submit Two-Year Vishakha Committee Report; Chargesheet Filing Urged in Dr Sampada Munde Case
In the case of Satara Dr Sampada Munde’s death, the deputy-chair of Maharashtra’s Legislative Council directs hospital to submit two-year Vishakha Committee report and asks police to file chargesheet promptly.
Pune, November 01, 2025: In a significant move aimed at ensuring accountability within Maharashtra’s public healthcare system, the deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council has directed the Satara District Hospital to submit its Vishakha Committee reports for the past two years. The directive comes in connection with the Dr Sampada Munde case, a tragic incident that sparked public outrage and raised questions about workplace harassment and systemic negligence within the health department.
During a recent high-level review meeting, officials from the Satara health department and district police presented updates on the investigation. It was revealed that Dr Munde served as a contractual medical officer in Phaltan, where she reportedly faced challenging work conditions. Despite claims that there were no formal complaints filed against her by colleagues, questions remain regarding whether adequate mechanisms existed to address workplace pressure or harassment.
The deputy chairperson emphasized the importance of transparency and compliance with legal mandates under the Vishakha Guidelines, which require institutions to maintain and review records of sexual harassment complaints and preventive measures. Authorities were instructed to ensure that all district hospitals submit their Vishakha Committee reports regularly and that findings are communicated to the Law and Justice Department every quarter.
Officials were also asked to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to strengthen internal complaint committees and ensure that staff—especially women doctors working in high-stress departments such as maternity and post-mortem units—receive proper protection and mental health support. The creation of a helpdesk for female healthcare workers to confidentially report grievances was also proposed.
Meanwhile, the police department has been asked to expedite the chargesheet in the case. Senior officers were directed to handle the matter with urgency and accuracy, ensuring that all relevant evidence is documented before submission to the court. The move aims to prevent procedural delays that often hamper sensitive investigations involving institutional accountability.
The meeting also addressed the need to curb misinformation and maintain investigation integrity, urging police to issue official updates through formal bulletins only. Law enforcement agencies were instructed to work in close coordination with the Health Department to ensure that findings from both sides align and that justice is delivered swiftly.
Medical associations and women’s rights groups have welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step toward protecting healthcare professionals from workplace harassment and institutional negligence. The case has reignited discussions about the mental health of frontline medical officers and the pressures they face in government hospitals.
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