Asangaon father-daughter suicide: Maharashtra Human Rights Commission pulls up Thane cops

Vikas Kedare, with wife Monali and daughter Aarya

Following mid-day's reports on the father-daughter suicides in Asangaon, the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission pulled up the Thane Rural cops for dragging their feet in the case. The police were also asked whether they would do the same if a common man was accused in the crime.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector from Shahapur police station has been booked for abetting the suicide of Vikas Kedare and his daughter in March.

The state Human Rights Commission summoned Deputy Superintendent of Police (Shahapur region) Navnath Dhawale and social activist Shivaji Ragade on Tuesday in connection with the suicide of 36-year-old Vikas and his daughter Aarya, based on the report in mid-day on March 17. The hearing was before Justice (Retd) KK Tated and member Bhagwant More.

Vikas Kedare with daughter Aarya

Sources told mid-day, the Commission members asked for the details of the case and questioned why it took almost 15 days to book ASI RS Kshirsagar in the abetment to suicide case when Vikas's family had been demanding the same since day 1 of the incident. The Commission also questioned why the accused cop had not yet been arrested and whether the police would behave this way if a common man was booked as an accused.

Dy SP Dhawale said the investigation was ongoing and for an impartial probe, an officer from Padgha police station has been appointed as Investigating officer.

Ragade, social activist and family friend of Vikas told the Commission, "The wrongdoing of cops starts from the suicide of Monali Kedare (Vikas's wife). There was no evidence to book Vikas and his mother Pushpalata in the matter, Kshirsagar himself told this to Vikas, but still registered an FIR as he (Vikas) didn't pay him. Kshirsagar kept demanding money till he (Vikas) was produced in jail. Even after Vikas was released, Kshirsagar demanded his flat documents from him for unknown reasons. Vikas's suicide note clearly mentions Kshirsagar, the cops should have arrested him immediately."

The Commission has set April 20 as the date for the next hearing. DySP Dhawale remained unavailable for comment.

Family demands CID probe

Suspecting an unfair probe and cover up, Vikas's family approached Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil on Tuesday. The family and friends wrote a letter to the minister seeking the probe be handed over to the State CID for investigation. "The accused in the case is a cop and it is being probed by officials from a nearby police station. We can't expect justice in such situation. Also, ASI Kshirsagar was handling the suicide case of Monali and his consistent pressuring resulted in the death of two persons. If the inquiry is impartial, the accused will be sentenced," said Pushpalata, Vikas's mother.

The case

Vikas Suryakant Kedare, 36, stayed in Asangaon with his wife Monali, daughter Aarya and 65-year-old mother Pushpalata. On August 15, 2021, Monali allegedly consumed poison and was declared dead before admission at a hospital. After a complaint from her relatives, Vikas and his mother were jailed for abetting suicide. Vikas spent 4 months in prison while his mother was jailed for 2 months. Vikas's family has alleged that ASI RS Kshirsagar was demanding Rs 1.5 lakh from him to not register the case.