The death of Suvarna Sathe, a Police Constable in adjoining Thane who was also the great granddaughter of social reformer from Maharashtra Annabhau Sathe, remains shrouded in mystery even seven months after she went missing and later succumbed to burn injuries.
Suvarna went missing from Thane, where she was a Constable in rural wing, while on duty seven months ago. A few days later the family came to know of her mysterious death in their native place Walva, Sangli district, about 375km, in Western Maharashtra.
Since then her widowed mother Lilabai has been running from pillar to post seeking justice for her daughter. Lilabai and her acquaintance Shankar Kamble have accused Sunil Ingle, a “goon” from Walva, of murdering the 23-year-old.
Kamble said one day the family got a call from a Walva hospital about Suvarna being admitted there with 80 per cent burn injuries and were asked to meet her soon as her chances of survival were slim. “All that the family has is the copy of her death certificate and her buckle number (4073),” Kamble said.
“Even her body was cremated without any of her immediate family members being present,” he added.
Kamble said Suvarna left Thane along with Ingle, who had promised to marry her in Walva. Thereafter, the family got the news of her tragic death. To add to their misery, Ingle allegedly issued repeated threats to her family members. “They began threatening us to keep quiet or else my two sons would also go missing without a trace,” Lilabai said.
“She was a bright police recruit. During her training she came second in all Maharashtra ranking. She was preparing for the Police Sub-Inspector exams and we had raised Rs 50,000 for her gymnasium workout and preparations,” said a teary-eyed Lilabai.
The news of Suvarna’s tragic death brought even more agony for the family. Her father and grandmother passed away in quick succession, she added.
Lilabai lamented she is not getting any help from Sangli Police in solving the case and brining the culprit to book, but vowed to continue her fight for justice.
