In a significant move delivering on a long-pending promise, the Maharashtra government has provided a government job to the brother of Ankita Pisudde, the young lecturer who died in the horrific 2020 Hinganghat burning case. The appointment marks the culmination of a four-year struggle for the victim's family to see the state's assurance fulfilled.
A Promise Finally Honoured After Legal Hurdles
Minister of State for Home Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that Prajwal Pisudde, Ankita's brother, has been appointed as a Scientific Assistant at the state's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The appointment order was officially issued on November 26, following persistent efforts by Dr. Bhoyar and Hinganghat MLA Sameer Kunawar.
The tragic incident that led to this decision occurred on February 3, 2020. Ankita Pisudde was on her way to college in Hinganghat when she was set on fire. The attack caused severe burns, and despite being shifted to Orange City Hospital in Nagpur, she succumbed to her injuries a week later. The case triggered massive public outrage and protests across the district, pushing the then-state government to announce that one member of Ankita's family would be given a government job.
The Path to Appointment: Navigating Legal Provisions
However, the proposal faced years of delay. Officials repeatedly pointed out that no direct provision existed in service rules for appointments in criminal cases. This legal gap kept the family's hope in limbo. Dr. Bhoyar explained that the administration was instructed to find a legally sustainable route to honour the commitment made to the Pisudde family.
After repeated communications with the Chief Minister's office, a solution was found. The Home Department issued an order appointing Prajwal Pisudde through the direct-service quota, examining existing service rules and vacancies within the FSL system. The order was signed by Deputy Secretary of the Home Department, Archana Walzade.
Formal Handover and a Step Towards Closure
The appointment was formally conveyed to Prajwal Pisudde on December 1 in Mumbai, where FSL Director Dr. V.J. Thakre personally handed over the posting letter. As per the order, Prajwal has been assigned to join the Nagpur laboratory of the FSL within 30 days and is expected to take charge in the coming two weeks.
Dr. Bhoyar, who met and felicitated Prajwal, emphasized the government's responsibility to support families devastated by such extreme violence. Local leaders in Hinganghat view this decision as bringing closure to a major part of the community's long-pending demand. Ankita's case remains a grim reference point in ongoing discussions about women's safety in the region, and citizen groups had consistently pressured authorities to fulfil the employment assurance first announced in 2020.
This appointment, while delayed, represents a critical fulfilment of the state's promise to a family that suffered an irreparable loss, setting a precedent for handling similar assurances in the future.
