The tragic death of 24-year-old Vaishnavi Hagawane has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra, sparking public outrage and raising urgent questions about dowry harassment, domestic violence, and political accountability. Vaishnavi, the daughter-in-law of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rajendra Hagawane, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her marital home in Bhukum on May 16. While her death was initially deemed a suicide, the post-mortem report revealed injury marks consistent with assault, intensifying suspicions of foul play and triggering a high-profile police investigation.
Vaishnavi’s parents, Anil and the Kaspate family, allege that their daughter endured relentless harassment from her in-laws, who reportedly demanded additional dowry even after receiving 510 grams of gold, silver, and a luxury SUV at the time of her marriage. The family claims the Hagawanes pressured Vaishnavi to bring ₹2 crore more for a property purchase, and that she was subjected to both mental and physical abuse. The FIR filed by Vaishnavi’s father details these allegations and notes that there were visible injury marks on her body, fueling fears that she may have been murdered.
The case quickly escalated, with Vaishnavi’s husband Shashank, mother-in-law Lata, and sister-in-law Karishma arrested on charges of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide. Her father-in-law Rajendra and brother-in-law Sushil initially evaded arrest, but were apprehended after a week-long manhunt involving multiple police teams. The NCP, facing public scrutiny, expelled Rajendra Hagawane and his son from the party, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar assuring the family of a fast-track trial and no political protection for the accused.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also intervened, instructing police to act swiftly and ensure justice. He emphasized that the ongoing investigation would determine whether Vaishnavi was murdered or died by suicide, promising the strictest action against those responsible.
Amid the legal turmoil, the custody of Vaishnavi’s 10-month-old son became a focal point. The infant was reportedly kept away from his maternal family, with allegations that a family friend of the accused threatened Vaishnavi’s relatives when they attempted to reclaim the child. After significant political and police intervention, the baby was finally reunited with Vaishnavi’s grieving parents, bringing a brief moment of solace to the devastated family. Vaishnavi’s mother, holding her grandson, expressed the bittersweet relief: “For a moment, it felt like Vaishnavi had come home. We forgot our pain for a while. But then reality hit again"
The Hagawane case has ignited widespread calls for justice, with activists and politicians demanding an impartial probe and harsh punishment for all involved, regardless of their political stature. NCP MP Supriya Sule and the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission have both vowed to monitor the case closely, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect women from dowry-related violence.