Pune Dowry Horror: NCP Leader’s Family Held for Torturing, Killing 24-Year-Old Vaishnavi Hagawane

In a chilling case of dowry-linked domestic torture, 24-year-old Vaishnavi Hagawane was found dead, hanging from a ceiling fan inside her in-laws’ home in Bhukum village on May 16. What initially appeared to be a suicide is now unraveling into a gruesome tale of sustained abuse, illegal dowry demands, and political connections.

The Pune police have arrested four members of Vaishnavi’s in-laws’ family including her husband Shashank Hagawane and his father Rajendra Hagawane, a now-expelled leader from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. The FIR, registered by Vaishnavi’s father Anil Kaspate, alleges that she was systematically tortured and harassed for a dowry of ₹2 crore.

According to the complaint, Vaishnavi’s family had already provided 51 tolas of gold, a high-end car, and silver utensils at the time of her wedding. Yet, the Hagawane family allegedly continued pressuring them for more. When demands weren’t met, Vaishnavi was subjected to regular beatings and mental torture.

The police have booked husband Shashank, his mother Lata, sister Karishma, and father Rajendra under serious charges including dowry death (Section 80 of the BNS), abetment of suicide, criminal intimidation, and common intention. While Shashank, Lata, and Karishma were arrested on May 17, Rajendra was taken into custody on May 23.

The post-mortem findings have raised further suspicions, with Assistant Public Prosecutor Nitin Adagale stating in court that Vaishnavi had 30 injuries on her body, 29 of which occurred before her death. Fifteen of them were inflicted just 24 hours prior. Police suspect repeated physical assaults using sticks and blunt objects tools they are now working to recover.

Investigators have already seized the gifted car, a scooter, and silverware from the accused. Police are also moving to seize gold ornaments handed over at the time of the wedding all considered illegal dowry under Indian law.

Police say further arrests are likely as the probe deepens. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi’s family, along with women’s rights groups, are demanding the harshest punishment for every individual involved in her death no matter how politically connected.

In a shocking revelation, the remand report submitted by Bavdhan Police noted that Vaishnavi had earlier tried to take her own life on November 27, 2023, by consuming rat poison. She survived after treatment at a private hospital in Aundh. The Wakad police and hospital medical records have confirmed this previous attempt, further exposing the long-term abuse she endured.

The case has taken a political twist after a photo surfaced of NCP leader Ajit Pawar attending the Hagawane wedding and in photo giving the couple a brand new car key now seized as dowry evidence. The opposition has slammed the party for “indirectly endorsing illegal dowry practices” through their association with the accused family.

Rajendra Hagawane, once a local leader of the Ajit Pawar faction, has been sacked from the party following public outrage. However, the damage has already been done.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule demanded swift justice and a thorough probe. “It’s clear she was brutally assaulted. We must investigate whether this was truly suicide or something more sinister. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister must step in. This is no longer just a domestic issue it’s a crime against womanhood,” Sule said.

Vaishnavi’s death is not an isolated case. Maharashtra has reported 39,665 cases of marital harassment since January 2022. Data shows Pune, Mumbai, and districts like Nashik, Beed, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are hotspots. From January to May 2025 alone, Pune recorded 229 cases and Mumbai 412 underscoring a worsening crisis.​