Kalyan rape-murder: Accused found dead in Navi Mumbai jail; divine justice, say leaders
His family believes he didn't commit suicide and they fear he met the same fate as the Badlapur case accused who was killed in an encounter, said his lawyer
A man accused of raping and murdering a minor girl in Kalyan town in Thane, a case that had hit national headlines, allegedly died by suicide at Taloja Central Jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai early on Sunday (April 13), police said.
The accused, Vishal Gawli (35), was found hanging in the prison toilet at around 3.30 am, an official said. “A panchnama (spot inspection) was conducted. The body has been to the government-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai for post-mortem,” the Kharghar police station official said.
Also read: Badlapur encounter: Why was accused shot in head? Bombay HC asks cops
Incidentally, this rape and murder case was reported within months of a case of sexual assault of two minor girls by a school sweeper in Thane’s Badlapur, which led to major protests in August last year. The accused in the case was eventually killed by the police in an “encounter”.
Despair behind move?
As per jail officials, Gawli reportedly ended his life in the wee hours on Sunday. “There were around 30-35 inmates in the barrack with a toilet attached to it. While all others were asleep, he woke up in the morning, went inside the washroom, and ended his life by hanging himself using a gamchha (towel),” an official said.
The incident came to light at around 4 am, after another jail inmate went to the toilet and screamed on seeing Gawli’s body. Subsequently, the jail officials rushed to the barrack, after which authorities from the hospital and the Kharghar police station were informed. The doctors declared him dead instantly.
On what may have prompted him to take the extreme step, a jail official said he would often tell other inmates that everyone had snapped ties with him because of the nature of the crime he had been arrested for. Nobody ever came to meet him and he would keep repeating that there was no point in living if his family had disowned him. The prison officials said they were trying to ascertain if Gawli had left any suicide note.
Kin suspect foul play
Gawli’s lawyer Sanjay Dhakane said he and the deceased’s kin suspect foul play.
“Vishal's family believes he didn't commit suicide. They fear he met the same fate as the accused in the Badlapur school case (Akshay Shinde) who was killed in an encounter (on September 23 last year). We had previously requested security for Vishal, knowing his life was in danger. A detailed inquiry into his death is necessary,” Dhakane said.
Also read: Badlapur shootout | Cops won’t clap if attacked: Fadnavis defends encounter
Gawli was accused of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl in Kalyan in December 2024.
The child went missing from Kolsewadi locality on December 24, and her body was found later at Bapgaon village in Padgha under Thane rural police jurisdiction.
Wife co-accused in case
A probe by Kolsewadi police led to the arrest of Gawli and his wife Sakshi on charges of kidnapping for ransom, rape, murder, causing disappearance of evidence and other offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Police had filed a 948-page chargesheet against the couple in February this year.
As per the police, Vishal Gawli raped and murdered the girl, while Sakshi helped him dump the body in Bapgaon.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had recently appointed renowned advocate Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor.
Natural justice, say MLAs
Speaking about Gawli's alleged suicide, BJP MLA from Kalyan East Sulabha Gaikwad said the victim's family has got justice.
Also read: Govt shielding school in Badlapur sexual assault case killing: Sanjay Raut
“Vishal Gawli deserved the strictest punishment. While law enforcement agencies and the judiciary were working on it, God delivered the verdict. The victim and her family have received justice,” she said.
Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA from Kalyan West Vishwanath Bhoir said Gawli ideally should have been punished by law but “this too is natural justice”.
(With agency inputs)
(Suicides can be prevented. For help please call Suicide Prevention Helplines: Neha Suicide Prevention Centre – 044-24640050; Aasara helpline for suicide prevention, emotional support & trauma help — +91-9820466726; Kiran, Mental health rehabilitation — 1800-599-0019, Disha 0471- 2552056, Maithri 0484 2540530, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)
