Man stabs estranged wife, ends life

A 35-year-old pharmacist allegedly stabbed his estranged wife with a knife and then committed suicide at Aruna Creation housing society in Tingarenagar area of Vishrantwadi on Saturday. 

Kiran alias Kisan Baburao Mohite of Balajinagar allegedly attacked his estranged wife, Sheetal, while she was alone at her residence. He then locked himself up in the residence and hanged himself at around 3 pm.

Alarmed by Sheetal’s cries for help, neighbours rushed to her aid and shifted her to a nearby private hospital. She is stated to be seriously injured, the police said.

According to the police, Kiran and Sheetal have separated and filed a petition for divorce before the family court. The petition is pending.

Kiran hails from Sangli district and runs a pharmacy in Sadashiv Peth. Sheetal works at a call centre. They separated a few months ago and Sheetal moved to a rented flat in Tingarenagar.

Police inspector (crime) PB Gophane of Vishrantwadi police told DNA, “Kiran and Sheetal married in 2000. For the last couple of months, they had disputes for unknown reasons.”

Gophane added, “Sheetal intended to remarry after getting the divorce. Kiran was angry over this. On Saturday morning, he spoke to his friends and sought their help. However, they refused. Later, in the afternoon, he reached Sheetal’s house on a motorcycle. Kiran and Sheetal again got into an argument. He then drew a knife that was tucked into his belt and stabbed Sheetal on her stomach and elsewhere on the body. An injured Sheetal somehow managed to escape from the flat and started screaming. Hearing her cries, the neighbours rushed to her house. Meanwhile, Kiran locked himself up in the house.”

Gophane added, “Neighbours knocked on the door, but there was no response from Kiran. Meanwhile, we received information about the incident. I, along with my team, rushed to the flat and forced open the door. We found Kiran hanging with the help of a makeshift noose. We rushed him to hospital. However, he was declared brought dead on arrival.”

The police said they recovered a knife from the spot. However, no suicide note was found. The Vishrantwadi police have lodged a complaint against Kiran.