'He said he had political connections'

Alleged blackmailer walks free after bride’s death.

Beed: In a heartbreaking incident from Beed, Maharashtra, a young woman named Sakshi took her own life on what was supposed to be her wedding day, allegedly due to harassment and blackmail. The 20-year-old was found hanging in her uncle's home, leading to a police complaint being filed at the Dharashiv police station. However, the accused was granted bail shortly after his arrest, prompting Sakshi's mother to pen an emotional letter to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, pleading for justice for her daughter.

Sakshi's mother expressed her anguish in the letter, stating, "You have supported many women in the state, but who will give justice to my beloved daughter? Sakshi aspired to be an air hostess, but her dreams were shattered by cruel individuals. She has left this world, but the perpetrators must be punished."

The letter also contained serious allegations against the police, claiming that the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Swapnil Rathod, ignored their pleas and delayed filing the complaint for four days, during which they faced disrespectful treatment. "The chats on the accused's mobile phone have yet to be examined, and we suspect that the accused's sister, who is also involved, is receiving protection due to her connections within the police force," Sakshi's mother wrote.

The family is devastated by Sakshi's death and is demanding strict punishment for the offenders. "If you were the Chief Minister or Home Minister, this thug would be in jail by now. We still believe you can bring justice for our daughter," she implored.

Abhishek Kadam

While speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’, Sakshi's mother said, That the accused, Abhishek Kadam, had threatened her daughter, claiming he had powerful political connections that would allow him to evade justice. "If the police take four days to file a complaint in such a serious case, when will ordinary citizens receive justice? The police's negligence has left us helpless," she lamented.

The police response has been under scrutiny, with attempts to contact officials yielding little success. Some officers did not answer calls, while others had their phones switched off. When finally reached, Superintendent Sanjay Jadhav declined to comment, stating that the Deputy Superintendent would handle inquiries, raising concerns about police accountability.

Deepak Kedar, president of the All India Panther Sena, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the CID into Sakshi's case, highlighting that the accused had previous charges, including atrocities, yet was granted bail within eight days. He called for immediate action to ensure the safety of female students in educational institutions and warned of a statewide protest if justice is not served promptly.

Shinde reaches out to kin

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured the kin of Sakshi Kamble, who had allegedly hanged herself due to harassment by some students of her college, of strict action against the culprits.

Shinde reached out to the family of Kamble over the phone, days after her mother wrote a letter seeking his intervention in the matter and justice for her daughter.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe met the Kamble family at their residence in Beed.

She directed the Beed Police to ensure that the police officer, who had tried to delay the investigation initially, should not be a part of the probe.

Kamble hanged herself at her uncle's house in Dharashiv district on March 14.

According to Gorhe, the deputy chief minister has asked the Dharashiv Police to appeal against the bail granted to the accused in the court and try to get it cancelled.

"Beed Police have extended their complete support to the family (of Sakshi Kamble). I instructed the Dharashiv SP that the police officer who tried to delay the investigation earlier should not be a part of the probe," Gorhe told reporters.