Pune: Ajit Pawar’s Question on Fortuner at Hagawane Wedding Haunts Vaishnavi’s Father After Her Suicide

Bavdhan, 22nd May 2025: The tragic death of 26-year-old Vaishnavi Hagawane has triggered a political and legal storm in Maharashtra, after her family accused her in-laws of sustained dowry harassment, leading to her suicide. Vaishnavi, the daughter-in-law of Rajendra Hagawane—a known office-bearer aligned with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Bhukum on May 16.

Vaishnavi’s father has filed a detailed complaint at Bavdhan police station, alleging that his daughter faced persistent abuse over dowry demands from her husband and his family. According to the First Information Report (FIR), he gave 51 tolas of gold, 7.5 kg of silver utensils, and a Toyota Fortuner car at the time of her marriage to Shashank Hagawane. The wedding, which took place at Sunny’s World in Pune, was attended by Ajit Pawar himself.

“Ajit Pawar was present at the wedding. He stayed for about half an hour and asked Rajendra Hagawane in a sarcastic tone if he had demanded the Fortuner or if it was gifted willingly,” Vaishnavi’s father told ABP Majha. “Everyone laughed at the time. But today, that question haunts me.”

The incident has exposed deeper fissures within the powerful political circles. Rajendra Hagawane is said to be closely associated with Ajit Pawar. Vaishnavi’s father also alleged that this isn’t the first instance of abuse in the Hagawane family. He claimed that another daughter-in-law had earlier filed a police complaint in November 2024, which was “suppressed due to political pressure.”

“She attended my daughter’s funeral and told us how Vaishnavi was also facing similar atrocities. I believe Ajit Pawar knows everything. Justice has been denied to both daughters-in-law. We want him to break his silence and act,” the grieving father added.

The case has sparked widespread public outrage and drawn political condemnation. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule has demanded immediate accountability.

“The injuries on Vaishnavi’s body raise serious questions about physical abuse. I urge the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to ensure that justice is not delayed,” Sule said, addressing the media on Wednesday.

Police have arrested three members of the Hagawane family—Vaishnavi’s husband, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. They were produced in court and remanded to police custody for three more days.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gaikwad confirmed that two other accused, Vaishnavi’s father-in-law Rajendra Hagawane and her brother-in-law, are currently absconding. “We have formed four dedicated teams to trace and arrest them,” he said.