Mumbai:
A love marriage has ended in tragedy after a 29-year-old air-hostess, Vrushali Gaikwad, working with a private airline allegedly committed suicide at her residence on June 16. While initial medical reports and police records attributed her death to hanging, her family members allege foul play. The Gaikwads believe their daughter was murdered, and suspect her husband might have killed her and made it look like suicide.
Based on their complaint, Ram Nagar police have taken Jayesh Gawade, 30, Vrushali's husband, into custody. The body of Vrushali was found hanging at her Dombivali home on Saturday, and no suicide note was found in the house. Vrushali was married to Jayesh, a stockbroker, for five months.
"Though it was a love marriage, my daughter was never happy from the day of her marriage on January 29. She had been asking her husband exact details about his work, but he never divulged. Jayesh always troubled her for money and also demanded that she transfer her flat in Mulund to his name," said Vrushali's 57-year-old father Kashinath Gaikwad.
According to the Gaikwads, Vrushali had telephoned her mother on June 16 at around 8.30 am and told her that she would be coming to Mulund to meet her and transfer some money to her account. But when Vrushali did not call or turn up until 11 am, the Gaikwads got worried. They tried contacting Vrushali, but there was no response and after several attempts they contacted Jayesh who said he was in office.
Jayesh then directed his sister's husband to check on Vrushali, as they lived in the adjoining building. When the brother-in-law entered the residence at 12 pm, he found her hanging from the fan. Gaikwads don't believe this statement because Jayesh and his relatives did not rush her to a nearby hospital nor inform the police on time. When both the police and the Gaikwads arrived at 1.30 pm, Vrushali's body was on the bed.
Arun Bhor, police inspector (Crime), Ram Nagar police station, said, "Jayesh has been taken into custody and is in police remand until June 22."
Vrushali had been working in the aviation industry for seven years and had purchased the Mulund flat on loan. She is survived by her parents and sister who reside at the flat. Jayesh's family members were not reachable for comment.