Vaishnavi Hagawane Case: Govt Panel Report Seeks Case Against Senior Cop Jalindar Supekar

The Maharashtra government's Women and Child Rights and Welfare Committee has said the death of Vaishnavi Hagawane must be treated as a case of domestic violence and abetment of suicide, while asserting that she was a victim of extortion and abuse within the family.

It also recommended the suspension of a senior IPS officer, whose name had cropped up in the case.

Vaishnavi Hagawane (26) had ended her life on May 16 in her in-laws' home in Bavdhan area of Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune district, after which her parents said she was being harassed for dowry and was subjected to torture.

The case triggered national outrage, resulting in the arrest of her husband, father-in-law, an NCP leader who was expelled from the party thereafter, and others.

In its detailed report tabled in the Maharashtra legislature on Friday, the Women and Child Rights and Welfare Committee headed by BJP legislator Monica Rajale, also recommended the suspension of senior police officer Jalindar Supekar, who is reportedly close to the Hagawane family.

The report stated that Supekar allegedly misused his position to influence the ongoing police investigation into the case.

"The committee recommends that a case be registered against Jalindar Supekar and that he be treated as a co-accused. His wife should also be booked in connection with Vaishnavi's death, as she received substantial dowry from the victim's family prior to the marriage," the report said.

The report said the Hagawane family had accepted branded vehicles, gold, silver utensils, and cash from her parents as dowry.

The committee's findings were based on a review of medical and post mortem reports, eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage, call detail records (CDRs), WhatsApp chats, audio clips, bank statements, and cash receipts submitted by Vaishali's parents.

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