Pune: Former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, Wife Among 10 Booked in Contractor’s Suicide Case
Pune, 16th July 2026: The Swargate Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against politician and former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, his wife Pratibha, former corporator Balasaheb Shedge, his wife, and eight other individuals on charges of abetting the suicide of a 65-year-old scaffolding and labor contractor.
The deceased, identified as Khalil Rajjulal Shaikh, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his residence in the Gultekdi area on the intervening night of July 15 and July 16, 2026. Prior to taking the extreme step, Shaikh recorded video statements on his mobile phone and wrote a detailed suicide note naming the accused, alleging they drove him to suicide through relentless financial pressure and mental harassment.
Details of the Accused
A total of ten accused have been named in the Daily Crime Report (DCR) and booked under various penal provisions:
Vishal Kedari
Sunil Iyer and his unnamed son
Raghu Gowda
Sunil Bora
Rajan Sethia
Hamid Bhai Shaikh and his unnamed son
Balasaheb Shedge and his wife
Former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar and his wife
Shyam Kolapkar
An individual identified as Shubham
The Complaint and Financial Dispute
The police registered FIR No. 238/2026 following a formal complaint lodged by the deceased’s wife, Sultana Khalil Shaikh, a 50-year-old homemaker residing at the Ashiyana Roshan Bi Building near Noorani Masjid at Dias Plot, Gultekdi.
According to the complaint, the systematic harassment began in 2015 and continued until July 15, 2026. The accused allegedly threatened, abused, and intimidated Khalil Shaikh over unresolved financial transactions connected to their joint centering (scaffolding) and construction labor business. This continuous pressure left Shaikh under severe psychological and financial stress. Additionally, the complainant alleged that the accused Balasaheb Shedge had forcibly seized and withheld Shaikh’s business scaffolding materials, further crippling his livelihood.
Police Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Unable to endure the persistent harassment, Shaikh took his own life. Swargate Police have booked all the accused under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
Section 108: Abetment of suicide
Section 296(2): Uttering obscene words or verbal abuse
Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation
Section 352: Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
Section 3(5): Joint liability (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)
The FIR was formally registered by Assistant Police Inspector Narendra Jagdale of Swargate Police Station. The ongoing investigation is being led by Police Inspector Pradipasingh Sisode.
