Pune: A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Sonawane Wasti, Chikhali, Pimpri-Chinchwad, where Vaibhav Madhukar Hande, a 50-year-old man, allegedly strangled his 10-year-old son, Dhanraj, before attempting to end his own life and that of his wife, Sheetal (41). While Sheetal succumbed to her injuries, Vaibhav survived and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

According to the police, the family’s decision stemmed from prolonged harassment by private moneylenders over unpaid debts. Vaibhav had taken loans amounting to ₹12 lakh from three lenders: ₹6 lakh from Santosh Kadam, ₹2 lakh from Santosh Pawar (at 10% monthly interest), and ₹4 lakh from Javed Shaikh. Despite repaying the principal amount, exorbitant interest, and even transferring ownership of valuable land, the harassment continued.

Details of the Debt and Harassment

• Vaibhav repaid Kadam ₹9.5 lakh as interest and transferred one acre of land in his name.

• To Pawar, he paid a monthly interest of ₹20,000 and handed over ownership of 20 gunthas of land. Despite this, Pawar demanded ₹14 lakh to return the land.

• Javed Shaikh was paid ₹4.5 lakh as interest, yet he, too, allegedly harassed Vaibhav for additional payments.

• Distressed by the relentless pressure and threats, Vaibhav reportedly took the extreme step.

The family, who had been living in Chikhali for 14 years and ran a medical store, had sent their elder son to Mumbai to stay with his aunt just two days before the incident. On Friday, January 17, Vaibhav, Sheetal, and their younger son, Dhanraj, were at home. That evening, Vaibhav allegedly strangled Dhanraj, killing him.

A suicide note sent by Sheetal to her brother, Amit Gadhwe, alerted the police to the situation. Amit reported the matter to the Chikhali police around 8 PM on Friday. When the police arrived at the scene, they discovered the tragic events.

Vaibhav, who was still alive, was rushed to a private hospital, where he is receiving treatment. Both Sheetal and Dhanraj were declared dead by doctors.

Following Vaibhav's statement, the Chikhali police arrested three individuals—Santosh Kadam, Santosh Pawar, and Javed Shaikh—under the Moneylending Act. A case has also been registered against a woman involved in the harassment.

This is the second incident in 15 days in Pimpri-Chinchwad where harassment by private moneylenders has led to a tragic outcome. On January 3, an auto driver, Raju Narayan Rajbhar (45), committed suicide at his home in Chinchwad Station, reportedly due to similar harassment.