Former Maharashtra Minister's Personal Assistant Seeks Bail in Wife's Suicide Abetment Case
Anant Garje, the former personal assistant to Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde, has filed a bail application in connection with the case involving the alleged abetment of his wife's suicide. The case has drawn significant attention due to its high-profile connections and tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Gauri Palve.
Background of the Case
The incident dates back to November 22, 2025, when Dr. Gauri Palve, a 28-year-old dental surgeon working at Sion Hospital in Mumbai, died by suicide. Following her death, her father filed a formal complaint alleging that she had been subjected to continuous physical and mental harassment by her husband, Anant Garje, over petty household issues. The complaint led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations against Anant, his sister, and his brother-in-law.
Details of the Allegations
According to the FIR, Dr. Gauri Palve and Anant Garje were married on February 7, 2025, and lived in a rented home in Worli, Mumbai. The complaint states that soon after the marriage, she faced ongoing harassment from her husband. It is further alleged that:
- She discovered her husband's affair with another woman and confronted him about it.
- Anant threatened her, saying that if she revealed anything to her parents, he would die by suicide and name her in the suicide note.
- Other family members, including his sister and brother-in-law, were aware of the affair and allegedly threatened her to adjust, warning that otherwise, Anant would remarry someone else.
- Her father noticed visible assault marks on her face and neck during a visit on October 3, 2025.
Anant Garje's Bail Plea Arguments
In his bail application, Anant Garje has strongly contested the allegations, presenting several key arguments to support his release:
- Lack of Evidence: The plea asserts that there is no evidence to show that Gauri was subjected to cruelty. It states, "Not a single medical report, complaint, or witness statement connects the applicant with any physical assault or cruelty."
- FIR as an 'Afterthought': Anant claims that the FIR was filed as an afterthought due to emotional distress following the tragic death, and no prior complaints were lodged by his wife or her parents against him.
- No Mention of Abetment: The plea points out that the FIR does not mention any instigation, threat, or provocation by Anant that could have led to the suicide, arguing that it lacks specific acts constituting abetment.
- Cooperation with Investigation: Anant surrendered two days after the FIR was filed and has since cooperated with the investigating agency, suggesting that further custody is unnecessary.
- Precedent of Bail Grants: He cites that two of his relatives have already been granted anticipatory bail by the court, which he uses to bolster his case for bail.
Current Status and Implications
Anant Garje was arrested in November last year and has been in custody since. His bail plea emphasizes his innocence, stating, "The applicant is absolutely innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present crime." The case continues to unfold as the court reviews the arguments, with potential implications for legal proceedings involving abetment of suicide charges in Maharashtra.
The involvement of Pankaja Munde, a prominent political figure, adds a layer of public interest to this case, highlighting issues of domestic violence and legal accountability in high-stakes environments.
