Schizophrenic woman electrocuted, man who promised marriage held

A man who had consented to marry his friend8217;s schizophrenic sister two years back despite being fully aware of her medical condition was arrested on Tuesday by the Nehrunagar police after the friend accused him of harassing her and eventually causing death due to negligence. A couple of years back, a conversation between Gajanan Ghagrum and Kailas Avghade had veered towards Avantika, Avghade8217;s elder sister who was severely schizophrenic. Ghagrum had married Avantika and the couple also had a daughter.

On the night of September 14, Avantika, who was eight-months pregnant, had died after touching an electrical board fitted with live wires at their home in Chunabhati. 8220;Late that night, Avantika had tried to use the socket when she must have touched the board. Ghagrum found her completely charred the next morning. When Avghade learnt about her death, he had filed a complaint accusing Ghagrum of being responsible for her death. The past few days went in perusing Avantika8217;s medical history, asking the neighbours about the couple and examining the cause of death,8221; said Police Sub-Inspector Aparna Joshi of the Nehrunagar police station where the case was registered.

Officials from the Public Works Department PWD had also been called in to check the connections and ascertain whether they were liable for the severe electric shocks leading to the death. 8220;While the PWD8217;s report is yet to reach us, we have arrested Ghagrum under Indian Penal Code section 304 related to causing death due to negligence. He is an electrician by profession and we cannot ignore the fact that his wife died due to electrocution,8221; explained Police Inspector R B Salunkhe who is investigating the case.The police officials however said that the residents of the neighbourhood where Ghagrum stayed, bore testimony to the severity of Avantika8217;s illness.

8220;She was reportedly very violent and also used to hit her child often. Fearing for his child8217;s safety Ghagrum had also sent his daughter to stay with his sister. The neighbours told us that Avantika8217;s violent nature would prevent people from even going near her but they all commended Ghargum8217;s 8216;courage8217; for leading a married life with her. 8220;We are still investigating the harassment claim,8221; said Salunkhe.