In a major shake-up, the Maharashtra government has transferred Senior IPS officer Jalindar Supekar from the Prisons Department to the Home Guards division in Mumbai, following his alleged involvement in shielding relatives tied to the dowry death case of 24-year-old Vaishnavi Hagawane.
Vaishnavi was found dead at her marital home in Pune’s Bavdhan on May 16, 2025. Her family claims she faced continuous dowry harassment, including demands of up to ₹2 crore. Her husband, Shashank Hagawane, along with his mother Lata and sister Karishma, have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody. Meanwhile, her father-in-law Rajendra Hagawane, a former NCP member, and brother-in-law Sushil remain in police custody.
Allegations surfaced that Supekar, reportedly a relative of Shashank, misused his position to influence the investigation. Social activist Anjali Damania publicly accused him of using his authority to protect the accused and fast-tracking firearm licenses for Shashank, Sushil, and a known associate with a criminal background, Nilesh Chavan.
In response, the state home department removed Supekar from his additional role as Deputy Inspector General of Prisons for Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur. Though officially labeled as an “administrative” move, sources within the police see this as a clear demotion.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged receiving formal complaints and assured that a fair and unbiased investigation is underway. Additionally, Pune police have revoked the gun licenses issued to Shashank and Sushil due to violations of licensing norms. A broader audit of firearm permits issued in the region has also been ordered.
The case has triggered widespread outrage across Maharashtra. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has condemned the legal team defending the Hagawane family for making inappropriate remarks about Vaishnavi during court proceedings. The commission has also requested the Bar Council to issue ethical guidelines to prevent the public shaming of victims in sensitive cases.
Vaishnavi’s death has reignited discussions around dowry-related violence, misuse of power, and the need for stronger institutional checks within the justice system.
