A case of alleged dowry death against a Pune-based NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader came to light on Wednesday (May 21, 2025). Vaishnavi Shashank Hagawane, the daughter-in-law of NCP leader Rajendra Hagawane, allegedly died under mysterious circumstances, with her family accusing her in-laws of harassment and torture over dowry demands.
NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule raised questions about her alleged suicide and vowed to fight for the deceased victim.
Ms. Sule has condemned the alleged assault and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter, suggesting that the State government must take serious action for the safety of women and their rights.
Mental, physical torture
Vaishnavi Hagawane reportedly died on May 16 at Bhukum in Mulshi tehsil in Pune district. The Bavdhan police station has registered a dowry harassment case against her in-laws. Her family has claimed that she was facing mental and physical torture, police told the media.
“How could a mother of an eight-month-old toddler end her life? No mother can [die by] suicide. Police told me about the marks on her body, it was inhumane. The men of that house are missing. How can that happen?” Ms. Sule asked.
“I have known the family for years. If something like this is happening to a woman from an educated family, where is Maharashtra?” asked Ms. Sule, adding that the two daughters-in-law of the Hagawane family have filed a domestic violence case.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on May 19 took cognisance of the alleged dowry harassment and death of Vaishnavi Hagawane. The NCW wrote to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, directing a fair and time-bound investigation into the matter and asked for a detailed action-taken report from the Maharashtra Police within three days
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the numbers here.
Published – May 22, 2025 06:05 am IST
