Dowry-Suicide Case: Former NCP Leader Rajendra Hagawane, Son Sent to Police Custody Till May 28

Pune, 24 May: In a chilling dowry-related suicide case that has shocked the city, former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rajendra Hagawane and his son Sushil were remanded to police custody till May 28 after being arrested early Friday morning from the Swargate area. The two had been on the run since being named in the FIR related to the alleged suicide of Rajendra’s daughter-in-law, 26-year-old Vaishnavi, on May 16.

According to police, Vaishnavi died by suicide at her in-laws’ residence in Bavdhan, Pune, following prolonged mental and physical harassment over dowry demands. Her family claims she was pressured to bring ₹2 crore for land purchase, despite already having given a substantial dowry at the time of marriage.

The investigation revealed that after Vaishnavi's death, Rajendra and Sushil fled and tried to evade arrest by moving across 11 locations, including Aundh, Pavana Dam, Vadgaon Maval, Alandi, Pusegaon, Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur. Police teams tracked the fugitives’ movements using surveillance footage and intercepted them in Swargate at around 4:30 AM on May 24.

Rajendra and Sushil were the latest to be arrested in the case. Earlier this week, Vaishnavi’s husband Shashank Hagawane, mother-in-law Lata, and sister-in-law Karishma were also arrested on similar charges and are currently in police custody until May 26. The total number of arrests in the case now stands at five.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Deputy Commissioner Vishal Gaikwad said, “Six special teams were deployed to locate the absconding accused. The arrests were made after tracking their extensive movement across western Maharashtra.”

CCTV footage has surfaced showing Rajendra and Sushil dining at a roadside restaurant in Vadgaon Maval even as the police hunt was underway, sparking public outrage. “When the accused are on police radar, how can they freely roam and enjoy meals?” questioned Anil Kaspate, father of the deceased.

During the remand hearing, police informed the court that injury marks on Vaishnavi’s body suggest she may have been beaten with multiple weapons. A plastic pipe used in the assault was recovered based on a confession by her husband. Investigators suspect that Rajendra and Sushil also physically assaulted Vaishnavi.

Police are conducting custodial interrogations to determine the exact role of each accused in the harassment and assault. The possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Further revelations indicate that Rajendra Hagawane allegedly forced Vaishnavi’s father to pay for interior design work at his Bhukum office. Additionally, 51 tolas of gold gifted to Vaishnavi at the time of marriage were mortgaged in a bank by the accused. Authorities are probing whether this was done with Vaishnavi’s consent or under coercion.

A senior officer confirmed that investigators are looking into the extent of dowry demands, including whether any other form of dowry was received by the accused. “Every angle is being thoroughly examined to ensure justice is served,” the officer added.

Following public outrage and media attention, Rajendra and Sushil Hagawane were expelled from the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar.

The case continues to unfold, with law enforcement promising a comprehensive investigation and strict action against all those involved in abetment to suicide and dowry harassment.