Pimpri Chinchwad Police have arrested five individuals including Pritam Veerkumar Patil, son of former Karnataka energy minister and veteran Congress MLA Veerkumar Patil for allegedly providing shelter to the prime accused, Rajendra Hagawane and his son Sushil, while they were on the run. The arrests were made following a coordinated operation across Maharashtra and Karnataka, with the key arrest taking place in Kognoli, Belgaum district, Karnataka.
The case began on May 16, when 23-year-old Vaishnavi Hagawane was found dead by hanging at her in-laws’ home in Bhukum, Pune. Her family alleged persistent dowry harassment, including demands for ₹2 crore for a land purchase, and physical and mental abuse. A police complaint filed by Vaishnavi’s father led to the registration of a case against multiple family members under charges of dowry death, abetment of suicide, and assault.
While Vaishnavi’s husband, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law were quickly arrested, her father-in-law Rajendra Hagawane, a former NCP leader, and brother-in-law Sushil evaded police for nearly a week. The duo moved through at least 11 locations, including farmhouses, lodges, and resorts across Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, and into Karnataka, before finally being apprehended in Pune’s Swargate area.
The five arrested for harboring the fugitives are:
Pritam Veerkumar Patil (47): Son of former Karnataka energy minister Veerkumar Patil, from Kognoli, Belgaum district. He allegedly booked resort rooms for the Hagawanes and helped them evade arrest under the pretext of a weddin.
Mohan alias Bandu Uttam Bhegade (60): Resident of Vadgaon Maval, Pune.
Bandu Laxman Phatak (55): From Lonavala.
Amol Vijay Jadhav (35): From Pusegaon, Satara district.
Rahul Dasharath Jadhav (45): Also from Pusegaon, Satara district.
Police investigations revealed that these individuals not only provided shelter but also arranged transportation and communication for Rajendra and Sushil Hagawane, fully aware that they were wanted in a high-profile criminal case.
The arrest of a former minister’s son has sparked political ripples in both Maharashtra and Karnataka, drawing attention to the misuse of influence and the importance of accountability in cases of violence against women. The Hagawane case has already galvanized public opinion, with activists and community leaders calling for swift justice and reforms to prevent dowry-related violence.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Police have also sealed a bank locker belonging to the Hagawane family and initiated the process to freeze gold assets allegedly taken as dowry. Authorities continue to probe the network of individuals who aided the accused, with further arrests possible as the investigation progresses.
All five arrested for harboring the accused will be produced in court. Police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that everyone involved in obstructing justice faces the full force of the law.