Pune: Maruti Navale Among Sinhgad College Trustees Booked After Security Guard’s Alleged Suicide Over Unpaid Salaries
Katraj, 15th May 2026: Bharati Vidyapeeth Police have booked several trustees of Sinhgad College of Engineering in connection with the alleged suicide of a long-serving security guard, whose family claims he was struggling financially after salaries remained unpaid for an extended period.
The deceased, identified as 53-year-old Samir Madhavrao Dabholkar from Hingne Khurd, had reportedly been employed as a watchman at the college since June 2002. The complaint was lodged by his son, Vrushabh Dabholkar (22).
According to the FIR, the family alleged that Samir Dabholkar had not received his salary for nearly three-and-a-half years, resulting in severe financial difficulties and increasing debt. Police officials said the prolonged economic strain had caused him considerable mental distress.
Investigators said Dabholkar was found dead on May 13 inside Room No. 23 of the Panhala Hostel building located on the Sinhgad campus. Preliminary inquiry suggests he allegedly died by suicide after hanging himself from a ceiling fan using a bedsheet.
Police sources further stated that the deceased had allegedly recorded a video message before taking the extreme step. The contents of the video are being examined as part of the investigation.
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case against Sinhgad College founder Maruti Nivrutti Navale, secretary Sunanda Maruti Navale, vice-president Rachana Navale alias Ashtekar, vice-president Rohit Maruti Navale, and other trustees under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to abetment of suicide.
The body was sent to Sassoon General Hospital for postmortem examination. No arrests had been made at the time of reporting, and further investigation is underway.
