Groom, 4 others held in Ashwini suicide case

NAGPUR, OCT 1: The Sakkardara police have booked five persons, including the prospective husband of 21-year-old Ashwini, daughter of local...

NAGPUR, OCT 1: The Sakkardara police have booked five persons, including the prospective husband of 21-year-old Ashwini, daughter of local Crime Branch Inspector G R Khandale, on charges of abetting her in committing suicide for want of dowry.

Ashwini ended her life by consuming an insecticide on the night of September 21 at her house in Durga Nagar. She was admitted to the Government Medical College where she succumbed to the poison, the following morning.

According to a complaint lodged by her father, Ashwini’s engagement was solemnised with Pundalik Maruti Tikle (26) of Rajura in Chandrapur district. However, after their engagement Pundalik and his relatives started making unreasonable demands, including Rs 2 lakh in cash, the complainant charged.

Pundalik would often threaten Ashwini, during their telephonic conversation, of breaking off their engagement in case her father failed to meet their demands. Driven to despair by these developments, she ended her life, the complainant said.

Apart from Pundalik, others who were booked included his parents, Maruti and Tarabai Tikle and relatives, Pratibha and Vasant Lipte, all residents of Rajura. Further probe is on.