Pune: ‘Reputation’ in Society Preferred Over Daughter’s Life — India’s Recurring Problem: What Vaishnavi Hagawane’s Death Tells Us
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Bavdhan, 22nd May 2025: A week has passed since the death of Vaishnavi Hagawane, reportedly by suicide after enduring relentless harassment by her husband and his politically connected family. Despite the abuse, she returned to her in-laws’ home on multiple occasions. A case has been registered against five individuals, including her husband, Shashank Hagawane, and father-in-law, Rajendra Hagawane. Bavdhan Police have arrested three suspects, but Sushil, her brother-in-law, and Rajendra remain absconding.
Rajendra Hagawane, an office bearer of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has long been associated with the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar even attended the couple’s lavish wedding, where dowry was given in the form of gold, cash, and a Fortuner SUV, reportedly presented at the hands of Pawar himself. That grand beginning ended in a traumatic tragedy.
According to police reports, Vaishnavi and Shashank had been in a relationship before marrying officially in April 2023. The Hagawane family made dowry demands during the marriage and continued them even after the wedding. In August 2023, Vaishnavi became pregnant, triggering further abuse, her husband denied paternity and accused her of infidelity. Harassed and humiliated, she returned to her parental home and attempted suicide in November 2023. After recovering, she was taken back by her in-laws, but the abuse allegedly continued.
On 16th May, following a dispute with her husband, Vaishnavi stopped responding to her family’s calls. Later that day, the Kaspate family was informed she had died by suicide. Injury marks were found on her body, raising suspicions of foul play and sustained domestic violence. Throughout this nearly two-year ordeal, Vaishnavi left her in-laws’ house several times but was persuaded or forced to return.
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022, India registered 6,450 dowry deaths and 13,479 cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act. Despite campaigns for women’s empowerment, such crimes persist. Ironically, the Maharashtra Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Scheme, an initiative by Ajit Pawar to empower women, is overshadowed by this incident involving a party worker in the very district where he serves as guardian minister.
Vaishnavi’s family promptly reported the incident and has been speaking to the media, alleging murder. Public outrage is growing. Many are questioning why authorities failed to intervene meaningfully the first time Vaishnavi reported abuse. Could this tragedy have been prevented if her family had stood by her instead of sending her back to her husband, prioritising her safety over their reputation?
Activist Trupti Desai, founder of the Bhumata Brigade, criticised the Maharashtra Women’s Commission and its president, Rupali Chakankar, stating, “The Women’s Commission must stand for justice, not politics. Even during the Dhananjay Munde case, Chakankar remained silent. She’s quiet now, too. When it’s about their own party members, the Commission wakes up too late. I urge Chakankar to act without bias, this could happen to our daughters too.”
