Dowry death case: Cops seal expelled NCP leader’s bank locker

“On Sunday, a Look Out Circular has been issued in the name of Chavan to ensure that he does not flee the country,” an official from Pimpri Chinchwad police said. A Look Out Circular (LOC) in India is an official notice issued by law enforcement agencies to prevent a person from leaving the country — typically when that person is wanted in a criminal offence. The circular is issued through the Maharashtra state Criminal Investigation Department and is submitted to the Bureau of Immigration.

On Sunday Pimpri Chinchwad police added Chavan’s name to the main offence of dowry death and booked him on charges of cruelty towards Vaishnavi’s son. Police have invoked sections 75 (cruelty to children), 87 (abetment) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, against Chavan, in this case. “We have sealed a bank locker operated by the Hagavane family, because it is likely that it can have valuables obtained as dowry or any other proceeds of crime. Probe has also revealed that the Hagavane family had mortgaged the 510 grams of gold taken as dowry to obtain a loan. have also initiated the process to freeze the 510 grams of gold and have written to the finance entity not to release the gold even when the loan is repaid.” said the officer.

Vaishnavi (23) was found dead on May 16 at her in-laws’ house in Bhukum area of Pune. A First Information Report in the case had been registered at Bavdhan police station under Pimpri Chinchwad jurisdiction by Vaishnavi’s father Anil Sahebrao Kaspate (51). Police invoked charges related to dowry death, abetment of suicide, physical assault among other sections.

The police had booked Vaishnavi’s husband Shashank Hagawane, mother-in-law Lata Rajendra Hagawane, father-in-law and NCP leader Rajendra Hagawane, sister-in-law Karishma Hagawane, and brother-in-law Sushil Hagawane. Police initially arrested Shashank, Lata and Karishma and later arrested Rajendra and Sushil who were on the run.

An FIR had been lodged against Chavan at Warje police station in Pune city, for allegedly using a firearm to threaten the members of the Kaspate family, when they had gone to his residence to take custody of Vaishnavi’s baby boy on May 20. Police said Vaishnavi’s ten-month-old baby boy was earlier with Nilesh Chavan and was now in the custody of the Kaspate family.

In the FIR against Hagavane family, Vaishnavi’s father had alleged that at the time of Vaishnavi and Shashank’s wedding they had given 510 grams gold, silver, and a Fortuner SUV to Vaishnavi’s in-laws, but they had been mentally and physically abusing her to bring Rs two crore towards the purchase of property.