It has come to light that Pune's Vaishnavi Hagawane suicide case has been repeated in Nashik. It has been revealed that Bhakti Atharva Gujrathi (33), a resident of Samrat Tropicano on Gangapur Road, died by suicide on Monday (May 19) after being tired of the torture inflicted by her husband for dowry.

Notably, Bhakti and Atharva had a love marriage in 2017. Meanwhile, Bhakti's husband, who absconded after the incident, as well as her father-in-law, Yogesh Manilal Gujrathi, and her mother-in-law, Mathura Yogesh Gujrathi, have been detained by the police within the limits of Vansda police station in Navsari, Gujarat. Custody of all three has been given to the Gangapur police.

The complaint was filed by Bhakti's brother-in-law, Dilip Prabhakar Madiwale (61), a resident of Yeola and a jewellery businessman. According to the complaint, Atharva beat Bhakti and tortured her, both physically and mentally, while demanding money from her family. Fed up with this torture, Bhakti returned to her maternal home in Yeola with her son in January 2025. After two and a half months, Atharva brought Bhakti back to Nashik. On May 4, Bhakti complained to her brother that Atharva was still torturing her. As a result, Bhakti's relatives went to her in-laws' house again. Atharva, along with his mother and brother-in-law, assured them that she would not be tortured again. On this assurance, her relatives returned home.

Later, Bhakti was found hanging on the morning of May 19. Her relatives rushed to Nashik upon receiving the news. Madiwale stated in his complaint that Bhakti committed suicide due to the harassment by her husband and in-laws. Accordingly, a case has been registered against her husband, father-in-law, and mother-in-law. Meanwhile, Bhakti's relatives staged a sit-in protest at Gangapur police station, demanding the immediate arrest of Atharva. During her funeral at Yeola Amardham, they protested with placards demanding strict action against Atharva and such tendencies.

When the in-charge and assistant inspector of the crime branch of Nashik city police, Dnyaneshwar Mohite, and other officers conducted a technical investigation, it was found that Atharva, Yogesh, and Madhura were in Navsari. On May 24, the team arrested the trio from different locations. Atharva's car and valuables worth ₹21 lakh, including a mobile phone, were seized. The action was taken on the instructions of Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, Crime Deputy Commissioner Prashant Bachhav, and Assistant Commissioner Sandeep Mitke.

BJP MLC Chitra Wagh said, "The custody of Bhakti's son has been given to her parents. As per the demand of Bhakti's family, the process of appointing public prosecutor Sudhir Kotwal is underway. We are trying to prosecute this case on a 'fast track' and punish the suspects."

"It is clear that she died by suicide. She had discussed the mental and physical torture with her friends, parents, and brother through WhatsApp. We are investigating further through that chatting and other technical evidence," added Padmaja Badhe-Chavan, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Panchvati Division.