Bombay HC grants conditional bail to three accused in Vaishnavi Hagawane death case

The Bombay High Court has granted conditional bail to three accused in the death of Vaishnavi Hagawane: her mother-in-law Lata Hagawane, brother-in-law Sushil Hagawane and family friend Nilesh Chavan. The case, treated as a dowry death, has drawn attention not only in Pune but across Maharashtra.

The court granted bail to the three on personal bonds of Rs 25,000 each, with strict conditions. They must not influence witnesses in any way or tamper with evidence. They must also report at Bavdhan police station on the first Sunday of every month for the next six months.

The complainant side had sought a three-week stay on the bail order. The court rejected the plea during the hearing. While granting bail, the court also made clear that bail does not amount to being declared innocent and that the main trial will continue.

The other three accused have not got relief. Vaishnavi's husband Shashank Hagawane, sister-in-law Karishma Hagawane and father-in-law Rajendra Hagawane will remain in jail.

Police had arrested Vaishnavi's husband Shashank, mother-in-law Lata, sister-in-law Karishma, father-in-law Rajendra, brother-in-law Sushil and family friend Nilesh Chavan in the case. Chavan was arrested from Nepal. He has now also got bail.

The case began on May 16, when Vaishnavi Hagawane's body was found hanging from a fan at her in-laws' home in Bhukum. It was initially treated as a suicide. The post-mortem report, however, found injury marks on her body, and the case took a new turn. Vaishnavi's parents alleged that she was murdered. Doubts over whether it was suicide or murder deepened and the matter caused considerable stir in the state.

Because the Hagawane family has a political background, questions were also raised over the role of the police, and the investigation was criticised. The probe then moved faster. Pimpri Chinchwad police filed a chargesheet against 11 people on Monday, July 14, 58 days after Vaishnavi's death.