Pune Police Launch Investigation into Tragic Suicide Case
The Baner police in Pune have taken a significant step in a heartbreaking case, initiating the process to register a formal case of abetment of suicide against a local pharmacy store owner. This action follows the tragic death of his 20-year-old niece, who was found hanging in a flat owned by her uncle in the Baner area on January 28.
From Accidental Death to Criminal Investigation
Initially, the police had registered the incident as an accidental death report. However, the situation took a serious turn when the victim's brother approached the authorities on Sunday night with a detailed complaint. According to Senior Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant of the Baner police, the brother alleged that his sister was subjected to severe mental and physical harassment by her maternal uncle, who owned the pharmacy where she worked as an attendant.
The complainant stated that this persistent harassment ultimately drove the young woman to take her own life by hanging herself. The police have now taken the brother's formal statement and have begun the procedural steps required to file a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to abetment of suicide.
A Disturbing Pattern Emerges
In a shocking revelation that adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, the brother informed the police that this was not the first such tragedy in the family. He claimed that his elder sister had also committed suicide by hanging from the same ceiling fan approximately five years ago. She too was employed as an attendant at one of the pharmacy shops owned by the same uncle in Baner.
This information has prompted investigators to look more closely at the circumstances surrounding both deaths, though no direct connection has been established yet in the older case.
Key Details from the Police Investigation
Senior Inspector Sawant provided further insights into the ongoing investigation. The police team that searched the room where the woman was found deceased on January 28 did not recover any suicide note, which is often a critical piece of evidence in such cases. The absence of a note means investigators must rely heavily on witness statements, forensic evidence, and the allegations made by the complainant to build their case.
The victim was a resident of Pali in Rajasthan who had come to Pune for work. Her employment at her uncle's pharmacy shop, which is one of two outlets he owns in the area, placed her directly under his supervision. The allegations suggest a toxic work environment that may have contributed to her desperate act.
The Baner police are now meticulously gathering evidence and documenting all aspects of the case before formally registering the charges. This process involves verifying the allegations, collecting corroborative statements, and ensuring all legal protocols are followed to ensure a thorough and fair investigation.
