Vaishnavi Dowry Death Case: Rajendra Hagawane, Son Sushil Arrested After Days on the Run
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Bavdhan, 23rd May 2025: In a major development in the Vaishnavi Hagawane death case, Pimpri Chinchwad police have arrested her father-in-law, Rajendra Hagawane, and brother-in-law Sushil. Hagawane, a former office-bearer of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s political group, had been absconding since an FIR was filed following Vaishnavi’s death.
Vaishnavi, a 26-year-old woman from Bhukum, was found dead, hanging from a ceiling fan at her marital residence on May 16. Her death, initially suspected to be a suicide, has raised serious questions after the postmortem report revealed multiple injury marks on her body.
Acting on a complaint filed by Vaishnavi’s father, Anil Kaspaté, the Bavdhan police earlier arrested her husband Shashank, mother-in-law Lata, and sister-in-law Karishma Hagawane. The family faces charges under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including dowry death (Section 80), abetment of suicide (Section 108), criminal intimidation, and common intention.
The case has triggered political backlash, particularly because Ajit Pawar had attended Vaishnavi and Shashank’s wedding and was seen handing over the keys to a Fortuner SUV, reportedly given as dowry by the bride’s family. A photo of the moment has gone viral on social media, prompting questions about the political leader’s proximity to the accused.
Speaking from Baramati, Ajit Pawar said, “Yes, I attended the wedding and handed over the SUV key because Rajendra Hagawane requested me to do so. But I asked him clearly whether it was a gift or something demanded. I was assured it was given voluntarily.”
He distanced himself from the incident, stating, “If there was any wrongdoing by the family after the marriage, how can I be held responsible? I have no link to the crime. I have spoken to the police commissioner and instructed that strictest action be taken.”
Pawar has since expelled Rajendra Hagawane from the Nationalist Congress Party and expressed his support to the victim’s family. “Had you informed me earlier about your daughter’s suffering, I would have intervened. I stand by you in this time,” he told Anil Kaspaté in a phone call.
Kaspaté, responding emotionally, said, “Dada, you had once asked if the car was demanded. I told you then—it was a gift from my side, given with love.”
In a related incident, the Warje police have registered a separate FIR against one Nilesh Chavan of Karvenagar, a relative of Shashank, after the Kaspate family alleged that they were threatened at gunpoint when they attempted to secure custody of Vaishnavi’s nine-month-old son. A neighbour reportedly informed the family that the baby’s cries were heard from Chavan’s residence.
“An offence has been registered under Section 351(3) of the BNS for criminal intimidation,” confirmed DCP (Zone 3) Sambhaji Kadam of Pune city police.
Later on Thursday evening, the child was safely handed over to Vaishnavi’s parents in Baner after they received an anonymous call guiding them to a location on Bavdhan Highway. Inspector Bhaskar Kadam of Bavdhan police said, “The baby was returned to the grandparents by an unidentified individual.”
The investigation into both cases is ongoing.
