Pune dowry death case: 5, including ex-Karnataka minister’s son, held for harbouring expelled NCP, son

Police have identified the accused arrested on Monday as Mohan alias Bandu Uttam Bhegade (60) a resident of Vadgaon Maval; Bandu Laxman Fatak (55), a resident of Lonavala; Amol Vijay Jadhav (35) and Rahul Dasharath Jadhav (45) both residents of Pusegaon in Khatav area of Satara; and Pritam Veerkumar Patil (47), a resident of Kognoli taluka of Chikodi in Belgaum district of Karnataka. “Pritam is son of long time MLA of Karnataka assembly Veerkumar Patil who was also energy minister during his tenure. Pritam runs a resort at Kognoli where Rajendra and Sushil Hagavane stayed when they were on the run.” said the officer.

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

The police have 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 for a while.

Pimpri Chinchwad police who are probing the case have said on Sunday that they sealed a bank locker operated by Hagavane and his family have also initiated the process to freeze the 510 grams of gold taken as dowry which they had mortgaged for a loan. Police have also issued a Look Out Circular against Nilesh Chavan, an associate of Hagavane family, who is accused of cruelty to Vaishnavi’s 10 month old baby.