Suicide to escape an inquiry?

'Fear of inquiry' pushes 2 constables to suicide

By: Kaumudi Gurjar
Date:  2011-04-14
Place: Pune

Police department had instituted inquiry into extramarital affair between the two
Two law enforcers who found themselves on the wrong side of the law chose to put an end to their lives, allegedly because they were unable to bear the ignominy of a departmental inquiry. The two constables in question were attached to two different police stations in the city. 

Tragic: Constables Ravindra Gaikwad and Monika Raskar
These two alleged lovers went to a popular picnic spot in Satara, some 110 km from the city, and committed suicide by consuming poison. The suicide act was discovered when people who were out on their morning walk stumbled upon the two motionless bodies in Charbhinti on Ajinkyatara Fort last morning.

The picnic spot in Satara where the two committed suicide. Pics/Raju Sanadi
'Secretly married'
Just three days ago, the wife of Ravindra Narayan Gaikwad (47), attached to the Kothrud police station, had submitted an applicaton to DCP Dnyaneshwar Phadtare (Zone I) requesting action against a woman constable Monika Raskar (30), who allegedly had an affair with Gaikwad, said some policemen from the Deccan Police station to which Rasikar was attached. The cops also said the couple had secretly married in Alandi, a few days ago, which had infuriated Gaikwad's family.
DCP Phadatare said that Gaikwad's wife Panchshila had submitted an application to him and an inquiry in the matter was ordered under ACP Vithhal Harihar.
ACP Harihar, however, denied he got any written orders. "I know about this, but till date I have not received written orders from DCP Phadatare's office," he said.
Policemen at the Deccan Police station said Raskar was separated from her husband eight months ago. She and Gaikwad were in a relationship for the past one-and-a-half years. Raskar has a seven-year-old son Omkar, while Gaikwad family comprises his elderly mother, wife, daughter Sonal and son Yash.
Raskar, who was on night duty on Monday, reportedly returned home around 9.30 am. She left home at 5 pm without informing family members about where she was going. She was staying with her sister Tarika, also a constable with the Yerwada Police station.
"We were not aware of her marriage to Gaikwad. My parents are in a deep shock and yet to come to terms with the loss," said Tarika Raskar. 
Future sub-inspector
Police Inspector Manohar Joshi of Deccan Police station said: "Raskar used to handle data-feeding work. She had told some of her colleagues about her marriage to Gaikwad. She cleared the MPSC examination for Sub-Inspectors post and was awaiting training. This is unfortunate"
Police Inspector Chandrakant Ghodke of Kothrud Police station said: "Gaikwad, who used to handle passport verification, was last seen at 7 pm by PI (Crime) Vilas Narnavar, who said he looked stable." Satara police said the spot where the two allegedly committed suicide at Charbhinti is a favourite tourist spot frequented by many and so the duo may have taken the extreme step late on Tuesday.