Premium
This is an archive article published on March 1, 2010

Book release function cancelled,budding novelist commits suicide

President of the Khed Taluka Education Board has been booked for allegedly abetting the suicide of a budding novelist.

President of the Khed Taluka Education Board has been booked for allegedly abetting the suicide of a budding novelist. The body of 22-year-old Raviraj Gaikwad,missing since February 4,was found floating in Bhima river at Chaas village in Khed taluka in the district on Saturday. A suicide note mentioned that he was ending his life because of the Board chief.

Pune rural police registered an FIR against Board chief Devendra Butte but no arrest has been made so far. “We have lodged an FIR based on the suicide note found on the body. After completing investigations,we will decide about action to be taken,” Superintendent of Police Pradeep Dighavkar said. The suicide note has been sent to handwriting experts to find whether it was written by Raviraj. “We are taking statements of his friends and associates. Statements of the Board office-bearers are also being taken. We will look into all angles before initiating any action,” The SP said.

On February 2,Raviraj,a post-graduate student of a city college,was supposed to hold a function to release his first novel,Sood (Revenge). At the eleventh hour,the Board is believed to have cancelled permission for the function. Police said Raviraj felt “humiliated” as he had made grand preparations for the function in Akhardwadi where the Gaikwad family,which was also supposed to attend it,lives.

Story continues below this ad

Raviraj,whose family is poor,completed his graduation in Pune city and had written the novel while he was pursuing his PG degree. The foreword is by social activist Prakash Amte and the book was supposed to be released by Marathi film actor Bharat Jadhav at Hutatma Rajguru College.

“The Board chief apparently told him they would give him permission after reading the book,” Dighavkar said. Butte was not available for comment.

Police said Raviraj had taken permission from the Board to hold the function but hours before the event,it was cancelled. Two days later,he disappeared from his house. His parents launched a search that proved futile.

On Saturday,when his body was found,a team of rural police led by Pune deputy SP Shrikrishna Kokate,police inspectors Sopan More and Rohidas Chikate reached the spot and found the suicide note,police said. The Gaikwad family refused to perform the last rites unless the Board chief was arrested,leading to tension in the area. The last rites were performed late in the evening after a police complaint was lodged against Butte.


Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Advertisement