Pune: Charges Framed Against Six in Vaishnavi Hagawane Death Case; Trial from February 23
Pune, 14th February 2026: A sessions court has framed charges against six accused in the high-profile Vaishnavi Hagawane death case and fixed February 23 as the date for commencement of trial proceedings.
The case, which triggered widespread public and political debate across Maharashtra, had earlier seen Bavdhan Police submit a detailed 1,670-page chargesheet before the court of First Class Judicial Magistrate Aaliya Bagal. The chargesheet, filed 58 days after Vaishnavi’s death, named 11 individuals and cited substantial evidence gathered during the investigation.
The matter attracted heightened attention as Vaishnavi’s father-in-law, Rajendra Hagawane, is associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), adding a political dimension to the case.
Investigators stated that findings in the post-mortem report, including injury marks on Vaishnavi’s body, significantly altered the course of the probe. While the death was initially suspected to be a suicide, the nature of the injuries prompted authorities to examine the possibility of abetment to suicide or homicide.
Arrests and Charges:
Police arrested Vaishnavi’s husband, Shashank Hagawane; mother-in-law, Lata Hagawane, sister-in-law Karishma Hagawane; father-in-law, Rajendra Hagawane, brother-in-law Sushil Hagawane; and family associate, Nilesh Chavan.
They have been booked under serious provisions, including dowry death, abetment to suicide, cruelty and assault, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.
The chargesheet was filed last July following an extensive investigation by Pimpri-Chinchwad Police. With the sessions court formally framing charges against six of the accused, the case now enters the trial stage.
Given the gravity of the allegations and the political sensitivity surrounding the matter, court proceedings beginning February 23 are expected to draw close public attention.
