Pune Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Ex-MLA and Wife, Rejects MNS Leader in Contractor Suicide Case
The order gives the Dhangekars limited protection as police continue an inquiry built around the deceased contractor’s recorded videos and suicide notes.
Overview
- A 65-year-old building contractor, Khalil Rajjulal Shaikh, died by suicide after recording videos and leaving notes that named 14 people and said he was debt-ridden on the night of July 15–16.
- Shaikh’s wife filed a complaint that led Swargate police to register an FIR against 14 people, including former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, his wife Pratibha, and MNS leader Balasaheb Shedge, accusing them of abetment and related offences.
- A Pune sessions court on July 23 granted anticipatory bail to Ravindra and Pratibha Dhangekar subject to conditions that include twice-weekly reporting to police, appearing for questioning when called, travel restrictions, and a ban on contacting witnesses or tampering with evidence.
- The court refused anticipatory bail to Bala Shedge after noting his name appears in the contractor’s video and suicide note and citing allegations that he seized centring material, threatened the victim, and may require custodial interrogation.
- Police investigators are relying on the contractor’s recordings and notes to probe alleged unpaid dues, business disputes and harassment, and the case could lead to arrests or formal charges depending on evidence gathered and the ongoing probe.