Police have confirmed that the Thar vehicle used in the escape attempt belongs to Sanket Chondhe, who is now under the scanner. Notably, his wife Dhanashree Chondhe had earlier filed a complaint of domestic abuse and harassment against Sanket and his sister at the Khadak Police Station, but she claims that no action was taken on the complaint.
Dhanashree Chondhe has made serious allegations against the then Senior Police Inspector Shashikant Chavan, accusing him of deliberately ignoring her complaint due to his alleged close ties with Rajendra Hagawane, Jalindar Supekar, and Sanket Chondhe.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare addressed a press conference and slammed the Home Department, demanding urgent action in the case. “If crimes are increasing within the police force itself, it is the duty of the Home Minister to ensure accountability,” she said, urging the state government to rise above party lines and initiate an impartial probe.
Andhare further revealed that serious charges have already been registered against Shashikant Chavan, including Section 307 (attempt to murder), Section 323, and various sections related to unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy (141, 143, 147, 148, 149, 120). She claimed that Chavan is the seventh accused in an FIR and is currently out on bail, despite his exact address being on record.
Raising an important question, Andhare asked, “How does a person facing such serious criminal charges get promoted even after being released on bail?” She demanded a probe into possible political or administrative interference in shielding Chavan and delaying action in this matter.
The Vaishnavi Hagawane case, which initially drew attention due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death, has now snowballed into a larger controversy involving police inaction, political ties, and possible misuse of power.
With mounting public and political pressure, there is now a growing demand for an independent inquiry by central agencies or the state Home Department. The case has exposed potential cracks in the police system and raised concerns over institutional accountability and justice for victims.