Pune dowry harassment cases: women from well-off families endure abuse to protect family honour

Payal Zambare, 29, was found dead at her home in Mukund Nagar, Pune, on November 2. The case has brought the issue of dowry harassment back into focus. The question is why educated women from good families keep enduring excesses in marriage, and why they sometimes do not get even their parents' support.

Payal held an MBA and had earlier worked in the IT sector. She married Akshay Zambare in 2019, and the couple have a daughter. According to her brother's complaint, her husband and in-laws harassed her physically and mentally over demands for money, gold and other valuables. The family alleges that five to ten tolas of gold were demanded every year around Diwali. This year, when her parents' family said they could not meet the demand immediately, the pressure continued. The family has also alleged a demand for a share in her father's property and harassment after the birth of her daughter.

Swargate police have arrested her husband Akshay and his parents, Arvind and Mangal Zambare. Her sister-in-law Akshata is also named in the complaint. The investigation is on. After Payal's death, her relatives allegedly vandalised Zambare Palace, the in-laws' wedding hall in Maharshi Nagar.

A close relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity and belongs to a family whose woman went through similar circumstances, said women are expected to endure everything to protect the standing of both families. According to the relative, when both families have political, economic or social influence, the woman does not get the support she needs. The relative said demands for money, gold or a share in property continue even after a great deal has been given at the wedding, and that the birth of a daughter can become one more cause of trouble.

Payal's case is being treated as a suspected suicide with allegations of dowry harassment, so it cannot legally be called an honour killing.

There are other cases. Vaishnavi Hagawane, 24, was found hanging at her in-laws' home in Bhukum on May 16, 2025. Her father Anil Kaspate alleged that her husband Shashank and her politically influential in-laws harassed her for dowry, including an additional demand of Rs 2 crore. According to the family, a large amount of gold and silver and an SUV had already been given at the wedding. Pimpri-Chinchwad police filed a 1,670-page chargesheet against 11 accused in July 2025, and the trial against six began in 2026. On November 7, the Bombay High Court granted bail to her mother-in-law Lata Hagawane, brother-in-law Sushil Hagawane and family friend Nilesh Chavan. Her husband Shashank, father-in-law Rajendra and sister-in-law Karishma are in jail. A bail order is not an acquittal.

Shilpa Gaware, 42, of Wakad, was found hanging at home on August 27, 2026. Her brother Santosh Kalte alleges she was harassed physically, mentally and financially for about 17 years. Her husband and in-laws allegedly pressed her to bring money and to claim a share of her parents' property. Her husband Sachin, father-in-law Uttam, mother-in-law Sanjeevani and brother-in-law Sandeep have been arrested. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has directed Pimpri-Chinchwad police to complete a thorough investigation and file a chargesheet soon. The family has also expressed doubts about the circumstances of her death.

Dr Nishikant Thorat, a psychiatrist at Sassoon General Hospital, said fear for family honour and society's gaze often keep women from speaking openly about their suffering. He said a woman may be under severe stress yet say nothing even to her own family. Families, too, stay silent for fear of society's judgment and the stigma of a broken marriage. He said talking to parents and close people is essential, and counselling can help women express their feelings.

Help is available. Anju Shende, chairperson of the Pune District Legal Services Authority, said every woman is entitled to free legal aid irrespective of her financial means under Section 12(c) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Educated and well-off women can also approach the authority for free legal advice, the appointment of a lawyer and help in starting legal action. Protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief and compensation can be sought under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005. She said that where there is an immediate threat to life, help can be arranged together with the police. In her words, there is no need to wait for violence to become unbearable or life-threatening.

Uttara Jadhav, senior police inspector of the Bharosa Cell, said the cell's work is not limited to marital counselling. In dowry death cases it stands by the victim's family, explains the legal process and arranges free legal aid. It also looks at the protection, mental health, education and custody needs of minor children, coordinating with the Child Welfare Committee and the District Child Protection Unit. Jadhav said guidance has been sought from senior officers to start a separate arrangement called "Victim Family Support".

In Payal's case, the cell is monitoring the investigation with Swargate police and, together with the Child Welfare Committee, looking into the care of her minor daughter. Information is being passed to the State Commission for Women. The cell has sought details of dowry harassment complaints from all police stations, set apart the serious cases and begun follow-up.