Pune: “She Was Suicidal, Four Slaps by Husband Not Harassment”, Here’s What the Defence Lawyer Argued in the Vaishnavi Hagawane Case

Pune, 28th May 2025: Court proceedings have begun in the Vaishnavi Hagawane death case, where the defence counsel for the Hagawane family has made controversial claims in a Pune court. The lawyer argued that Vaishnavi was suicidal and had been chatting with someone, suggesting that this person could have been the reason for her suicide. He also made a shocking claim that her husband slapping her four times does not constitute harassment.

According to the police complaint filed by Vaishnavi’s father at Bavdhan Police Station, her husband Shashank Hagawane, along with her father-in-law Rajendra Hagawane, brother-in-law Sushil Hagawane, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law, used to mentally and physically harass her. On 16th May, she was found dead under mysterious circumstances. While initially considered a suicide, injury marks were found on her body.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police arrested all the accused and were granted police custody. During a hearing for custody extension, media reports state that the defence lawyer, Adv. Vipul Doshi, made the following arguments in court:

1) Vaishnavi was chatting with someone she shouldn’t have been, and that person might be the reason for her suicide. She was already suicidal.
2) A husband slapping his wife four times does not amount to harassment.
3) The Hagawane family owns cars worth Rs 5 crore, so the allegation that they demanded a Rs 40 lakh car is baseless.
4) The actual reason for suicide is different, but the police are ignoring it.
5) Nilesh Chavan is unrelated to the case. He only handled the baby, if that’s wrong, then hang him.

Public Prosecutor Nitin Adagale stated the following while seeking an extension of police custody:
1) The whereabouts of 51 tolas of gold given as dowry are still unknown.
2) Items used to harass Vaishnavi, including weapons and iron rods, have not been seized yet.
3) Mobile records are yet to be investigated.

Court’s Decision:
– Police custody of Vaishnavi’s husband Shashank Hagawane, her mother-in-law, and sister-in-law has been extended by one more day.
– Custody of her father-in-law Rajendra Hagawane and brother-in-law Sushil Hagawane has been extended until May 31.