Nashik Civil Hospital doctor arrested as probe into Ayurveda practitioner's death widens

Nashik, Maharashtra — Nashik police on Friday arrested a woman doctor employed at Nashik Civil Hospital in connection with the death of a 40-year-old private ayurveda practitioner found hanging in her apartment on March 6, officials said.

Case background and recent developments

The death of the woman was first registered as a suicide. On March 8, the Gangapur police registered a case under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — dealing with abetment of suicide — after the deceased’s sister lodged a complaint alleging mental torture by the woman’s husband forced her to take the extreme step, according to reports.

Following the complaint, the husband — who is also a doctor at Nashik Civil Hospital — sought anticipatory bail in Nashik district court. That plea was rejected, and the husband moved the Bombay High Court, which granted interim relief until the final hearing on September 9. The High Court later refused anticipatory bail after the Additional Public Prosecutor and the complainant's counsel argued custodial interrogation was required and raised the possibility that the death might not have been a suicide.

“The accused moved the Supreme Court, but his bail plea was rejected there as well. Subsequently, he was arrested by Nashik police on Friday. While he continues to remain in custody, a lady doctor from the civil hospital was also arrested,” a police officer was quoted as saying.

Police said the name of the woman doctor emerged during the ongoing investigation. The deceased’s sister had alleged in her complaint that the husband had been spending considerable time with the woman doctor over the past two years, according to published reports.

What authorities have done so far

• March 6 — Deceased, a 40-year-old Ayurveda practitioner, was found hanging in her apartment.
• March 8 — Sister of the deceased filed a complaint alleging mental torture by the husband; Gangapur police registered a case under Section 108 BNS (abetment of suicide).
• Subsequent months — Husband applied for anticipatory bail in district court and then Bombay High Court; interim relief was granted but anticipatory bail later rejected.
• Recent — Husband was arrested after the Supreme Court rejected his plea; a woman doctor at Nashik Civil Hospital was also arrested after her name surfaced in investigation.

Senior police officials have confirmed arrests but have not released further details about the exact role the newly arrested woman doctor is alleged to have played. The police officer’s statement to media indicated the need for custodial interrogation prompted the authorities to seek custody of those named in the probe.

Local implications and next steps

The arrests involve medical personnel associated with Nashik Civil Hospital and have drawn public attention in the city. If the charges under Section 108 BNS are proved, they carry serious legal consequences. Investigating officers have not yet released a full charge sheet or named any additional accused in the matter.

Police in Gangapur are continuing their inquiry, examining telephonic, documentary and testimonial evidence as permitted under procedure. Court proceedings on bail and related hearings remain active; the High Court had set further dates for final hearings after granting interim relief in earlier applications.

Local residents in and around Nashik have expressed concern over allegations involving doctors from a major municipal hospital; hospital administration has not publicly commented in the reports cited. The matter remains under investigation and further updates are expected as police complete custodial questioning and move towards formal charges or filing of a charge sheet.

Authorities have asked the public and press to await official briefings. The Gangapur police station is handling the case and further disclosures will be made in accordance with investigation progress and court orders.

Reporting from Nashik.