Policeman with 3 wives sets himself on fire, dies

A 40-year-old constable posted at East Control Unit committed suicide on Sunday at his Chunabhatti residence after setting himself on fire around 6 pm. According to police officials, the victim identified as Balkrishna Gaikwad had three wives and there were constant quarrels between him and his spouses. His first wife lives in Matunga, the second in Chunabhatti and the third at Lal Dunga in Chunabhatti.

"Gaikwad was suspended six months ago when he was working with the Nehru Nagar police station. He was suspended because his third wife had filed a complaint that he cheated her by not informing her about his other two marriages," said an officer from the Chunabhatti police station. A department enquiry was ordered against Gaikwad for breaching the police code of conduct. He resumed work on January 3 and was temporarily posted at East Control Unit. Since April 1, Gaikwad was on sick leave.u00a0He was with his third wife when he committed suicide.

According to police officials the victim had tried committing suicide two months ago as well, by slashing his wrists. On Sunday, he was at his Chunabhatti residence and was under the influence of alcohol. He had an argument with his wife and threatened to kill himself. When he realised that she had not taken him seriously he doused himself with kerosene and set himself on fire. The officer added, "He was under lots of stress and had slipped into depression because of the constant arguments with his three wives." Gaikwad was admitted in Sion Hospital after the incident with 80% burns. He succumbed to his injuries yesterday.u00a0