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Diagnosed ‘suicidal’ prior to arrest, underwent treatment in jail: What Parbhani suicide victim’s records reveal

Datta Sopan Pawar was arrested in a Constitution replica vandalism case in December 2024. He allegedly died by suicide in Parbhani on Monday after being released on bail.

maharashtra violenceThe incident later led to large-scale violence in the city, leading to the death of a person and the suspension of a police officer. (Source: File)

Datta Sopan Pawar, who allegedly died by suicide in Maharashtra’s Parbhani on Monday, just four days after being released on bail, had earlier been diagnosed as suicidal and suffering from alcoholism by an Akola-based psychiatrist prior to his arrest in December 2024, the police said. Court records further show that during his 13 months in jail, he underwent mental health treatment at a hospital in Pune.

Pawar was arrested on December 10, 2024, for allegedly vandalising a replica of the Constitution near the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue in Parbhani. The incident later led to large-scale violence in the city, leading to the death of a person and the suspension of a police officer.

“After we arrested Pawar following the incident, we were informed that he had sought treatment from two different psychiatrists in Akola who had diagnosed him with mental illness and said he was suicidal. He was also suffering from alcoholism. We had informed the prison, and he had been receiving treatment there,” a senior police officer said.

As per court records, Pawar got regular bail in November 2025, but as he could not pay a surety of Rs 50,000, he continued to remain behind bars. It was on January 7 this year that an additional sessions judge allowed his release without surety, after an application for the same was moved by the legal aid department, saying he did not have the wherewithal for the same, and his family too was not in touch with him.

While granting Pawar bail in November, the court considered arguments by his lawyer, who mentioned that soon after being arrested on December 10, 2024, he was referred to a medical hospital in Nanded, which said that he had previously sought treatment for behavioural issues and alcohol use from a psychiatrist in Akola since 2012. Further, he was admitted to an Akola hospital from September 2024 to November 2024, Pawar’s lawyer had argued, as per the bail order.

His assessment report stated that he was suffering from a psychotic illness and a mood disorder, with doctors opining that it was important for him to take regular treatment for the same, the order added.

In fact, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) had not conducted a polygraph and narcoanalysis on Pawar, saying he was not completely medically fit, and his statement before the police was recorded in jail in the presence of a psychiatrist, the bail order read. He was then taking treatment from a hospital in Yerwada, Pune, which later provided a report saying that Pawar was fit to stand trial.

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Pawar was eventually released on bail on January 7. Four days later, he allegedly died by suicide. A police official from Parbhani rural police station said that there was no suicide note left behind, and his distant relatives too did not suspect any foul play. His last rites were held on Monday, the official added.

The death of an activist

On December 10, 2024, a replica of the Constitution installed near a Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue outside the Parbhani district collector’s office was damaged. Pawar was apprehended at the spot by bystanders and handed over to the police.

His arrest triggered protests in Parbhani led by Ambedkarite activists, including a city shutdown the following day, during which several people were detained.

The situation escalated further after the death of Somnath Suryavanshi, a law student and an Ambedkarite activist, who was arrested during the protests. His family alleged custodial assault, leading to outrage. After the issue was raised during the winter session of the state Assembly in 2024, the government suspended an inspector and ordered an inquiry into the violence by a retired high court judge.

Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise  Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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