Journalism of Courage
The probe by the Pune city police has found that Ruby Hall Clinic technician Ganesh Kale (27) allegedly murdered his colleague Divya Nighot (24) and then died by suicide because she planned to marry another person after rejecting him because of his caste.
Police said Kale, a native of Beed district, was found dead at the railway tracks in Talegaon Dabhade on November 29. Next day, Nighot was found dead at Kale’s residence in Sangamwadi area of Pune city, police said.
Meanwhile, Nighot’s father, a constable with the Pune city police, lodged a murder FIR against Kale at the Yerwada police station on Sunday. Police said both Kale and Nighot worked as lab technicians at the Ruby Hall Clinic. As per the FIR, Kale was in love with Nighot and had also proposed to her. But Nighot and her family rejected his proposal because he belonged to a different caste, the FIR stated.
Meanwhile, Nighot got engaged to another person and her marriage was scheduled on December 13. The family was busy with marriage preparations.
The FIR mentions that Nighot left home in Phulgaon around 6 am on November 29 for work. Later, she messaged her sister on WhatsApp that she would go for a movie with her friend after work. But she did not return till late at night. So the family lodged a missing report at the Koregaon Park police station around 6 am on Sunday.
Police launched a search for her. It was found that Nighot left her workplace around 11 am on November 29, saying she was taking a half-day. During further investigation, cops reached Kale’s house on the thrid floor in Tuljai building, located in Sangamwadi Gaothan.
The house was locked. So police broke the door and found Nighot lying unconscious in the house. She was taken to a hospital, but was pronounced dead. Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone 4) Somay Munde said injury marks were found on her body.
Police said Kale allegedly killed Nighot by assaulting her with an unidentified object and then died by suicide on the railway tracks. Police have booked Kale under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Nighot’s body was handed over to her family for last rites, police said.
In an official statement issued Sunday evening, Manjusha Kulkarni, legal advisor, Ruby Hall Clinic, said they regretted the unfortunate incident. “The matter is currently under police investigation and we are fully cooperating with the authorities in all necessary procedures. Our prayers are with the families in such difficult times,” Kulkarni added.
