Pune – The tragic death of 22-year-old Vaishnavi Hagawane has taken a new turn as all five members of her in-laws’ family were presented in court on Wednesday. What followed was a courtroom filled with tense exchanges and shocking claims.
The defense lawyer, representing Vaishnavi’s husband and his family, made controversial arguments, questioning Vaishnavi’s mental health and personal life, and suggesting she may have died due to a private dispute unrelated to domestic abuse. The lawyer alleged that Vaishnavi had chatted with an unidentified person before her death, claiming she had made past suicide attempts, including consuming poison and jumping out of a moving vehicle.
One of the most unsettling statements from the defense came when the lawyer said,
“A husband slapping his wife doesn’t count as harassment.” This was said while referring to the visible injuries found on Vaishnavi’s body comments that sparked outrage and drew heavy criticism.
On the other hand, the prosecution firmly defended Vaishnavi, stating that the investigation is proceeding in the right direction. They told the court that the accused’s mobile phones need to be examined for potential evidence, including videos. Investigators are also tracing Vaishnavi’s missing gold jewellery, which may have been pawned by the family.
The court granted police custody of:
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Vaishnavi’s husband, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law for 1 day
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Her father-in-law and brother-in-law were remanded to 3 more days of custody, till May 30
The case has ignited widespread debate on domestic abuse, dowry harassment, and the urgent need for legal reform and mental health support.
