Sangli man, 63, dies after drinking weedkiller; case against daughter-in-law, her father and aunt

A teacher's family in Walwa taluka of Sangli district has been struck by tragedy. Vishwas Phatak, 63, a resident of Masuchiwadi, has died. On the evening of October 21, he went to his own field and drank weedkiller.

When it came to light that he had consumed poison, he was rushed to hospital, but died during treatment. A case of abetment of suicide has been registered at Ishwarpur police station against his daughter-in-law Sanjana Avinash Pawar, her father Avinash Dnyandev Pawar and her aunt Snehal Pravin Galande.

Phatak's son Rishikesh is a teacher. His first wife died of cancer in 2024, and he has a 7-year-old son. Considering the child and the future of the household, Rishikesh married Sanjana Pawar as his second wife. But within a few days the marriage began to weigh heavily on him.

It is stated that a few days after the wedding, Sanjana's father Avinash came to Rishikesh's house. He said, "If you want to keep your daughter properly, you will have to pay Rs 15 lakh." He then abused them and took his daughter away with him.

After Sanjana left, the Phatak family suffered another blow. Rishikesh learnt that this was Sanjana's second marriage and that her first marriage had been hidden from him.

After Sanjana went to her parental home, her family kept pressing the Phatak family for money. It is stated that the demand had now risen from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, sought in the name of wedding expenses, maintenance and future care.

It is also stated that Sanjana's family repeatedly threatened that if the money was not paid, they would have Sanjana file a false rape case against her father-in-law, Vishwas Phatak. Because of this threat, Phatak was under severe mental strain.

Fearing public disgrace and being trapped in a false case, Vishwas Phatak, 63, ended his life by drinking poison. Ishwarpur police are investigating further. A case has been registered, but no arrest has been reported.