Vaishnavi Hagawane Suicide In Pune: Viral Photo Shows Ajit Pawar Handing Over Toyota Fortuner Key At Wedding

The shocking suicide of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rajendra Hagawane's daughter-in-law, Vaishnavi Hagawane, has caused a huge uproar.

Vaishnavi's parents lodged a complaint against her in-laws under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to abetment to suicide and domestic violence.

An FIR has been registered against her husband Shashank, mother-in-law Lata, father-in-law Rajendra, sister-in-law Karishma, and brother-in-law Sushil. So far, the husband, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law of the victim have been arrested, while her father-in-law and brother-in-law are absconding.

In their complaint, Vaishnavi's parents alleged that during the wedding, they had given 51 tolas (595 gm) of gold, silver, and an SUV to her husband's family, but their daughter's in-laws were pressuring her to bring Rs 2 crore more to purchase land. They also claimed their daughter was physically tortured before her death and alleged she may have been murdered.

Meanwhile, a picture of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar handing over the key of a Toyota Fortuner to Vaishnavi and her husband has gone viral on social media, drawing flak from all quarters. Netizens said the politician shouldn't have presented the key to the couple. They added that even if the SUV was meant to be a "gift", it amounts to "dowry", which is illegal.

Sule demands judicial inquiry

NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule has, meanwhile, strongly reacted to the entire episode and demanded a judicial inquiry and swift justice for the victim's family.

She said, "This incident is extremely painful. The Hagawane family is a prominent name in Mulshi and Pune. Their grandfather had done good work in the Panchayat Samiti for many decades. What has happened is shocking. Based on the information I have received from the police and media reports, there appears to be a grey area. Some say it's suicide, while others believe it's murder."

"Maharashtra is a progressive state, and such cases are unfortunate. If such educated families are involved in dowry deaths, then where is Maharashtra heading? And not just one, but two daughters-in-law have been affected. This matter belongs to my constituency. A few days ago, there was a family event at their house, and I didn't attend it to convey a message because there was a complaint of domestic violence against their daughter-in-law," she added.

"If daughters-in-law are visiting police stations and court cases are going on, I cannot be seen supporting that family. The victim must get justice in this progressive Maharashtra. I am ready to fight whatever battle is needed to ensure that. Maharashtra's daughter must get justice," she asserted.