NCP Leader, Son Arrested in Dowry Case
Rajendra and Sushil were presented before a magistrate’s court by the police. The court has remanded both accused to police custody until 28th May.
Mumbai: The Pimpri Chinchwad police on Friday arrested expelled NCP leader Rajendra Hagawane and his son Sushil in connection with the alleged dowry death case of his daughter-in-law Vaishnavi. The father-son duo, who were evading arrest for seven days, were caught in Pune’s Swargate area in the wee hours of Friday.
Rajendra and Sushil were presented before a magistrate’s court by the police. The court has remanded both accused to police custody until 28th May.
“Rajendra Hagawane and his son Sushil were taken into custody from the Swargate area while attempting to flee the city,” said Vishal Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) of the Pimpri-Chinchwad area.
Vaishnavi’s husband Shashank Hagawane, her mother-in-law Lata Hagawane and sister-in-law Karishma Hagawane have already been arrested and are currently under police remand until May 26.
Vaishnavi, daughter-in-law of Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Rajendra Hagawane, was found dead at her husband Shashank Hagawane’s house on May 16 in Bhukum village in Pune. Vaishnavi’s family members have alleged that she was being tortured for dowry and she had been murdered. They alleged they had given 51 tolas of gold, silver utensils and a SUV at the time of the wedding, but were later asked to pay an additional Rs 2 crore for land purchase.
Public prosecutor Shivam Nimbalkar, representing the complainant, stated that this was the first police custody hearing for Rajendra and Sushil Hagawane. “The investigation is still at a preliminary stage. Key evidence remains to be collected and the police are probing who else might have aided the accused,” Nimbalkar said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra State Women's Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar had to face the wrath of people during her visit to the residence of Vaishnavi Hagawane’s parents as she was accused of not taking action in similar past cases.
Chakankar said, “The commission has taken cognizance of the matter since day one, be it the cross complaints filed by one of the accused Karishma Hagawane or the elder daughter-in-law Mayuri Hagawane. None of these complaints had Vaishnavi’s mention. As per the domestic violence law, both parties were suggested counselling.”
Responding to criticism over the delay in taking action, Chakankar said, “The commission is very much active. In the past three years, we have resolved 35282 cases out of 35971 cases filed at Bandra headquarters.”
