Pune, 11 July 2025: Atul Maruti Kadam (39), a resident of Balaji Complex, Nana Peth, died by suicide on June 15, 2025, by hanging himself. A case was filed at Samarth Police Station following a complaint by his mother, Madhuri Maruti Kadam (61). Based on her statement, police have charged Atul’s wife, Sonali Atul Kadam (31), a resident of Sadesatranali, Hadapsar, and her friend Krishna Shinde, also a resident of Hadapsar, under relevant sections for abetment to suicide.
According to police reports, Atul and Sonali were married in 2015. However, their marriage was fraught with regular disputes. Atul had reportedly discovered that his wife Sonali had developed a close relationship with Krishna Shinde. This revelation further worsened the couple’s relationship, leading to frequent arguments and eventually separation. Sonali moved out to live separately.
In the weeks leading up to Atul’s death, both Sonali and Krishna allegedly harassed and threatened him over phone calls, leading to severe emotional stress. Unable to bear the continued harassment, Atul took the extreme step of ending his life.
Following his death, Sonali was taken into custody and produced before the court on Thursday. The prosecution, led by government lawyer Renuka Deshpande-Karjatkar, argued for her police custody, stating that the police needed time to investigate the motive behind the alleged abetment and to trace the co-accused Krishna Shinde, who is currently absconding.
Taking these arguments into account, the court remanded Sonali to police custody until July 13, 2025. The investigation into the intent and exact role of both accused in driving Atul to suicide is currently underway.
