Thane:
A person accused of raping and murdering a minor lady in Kalyan city right here, a case that had hit nationwide headlines, allegedly died by suicide at Taloja Central Jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai early on Sunday, police stated.

The accused, Vishal Gawli (35), was discovered hanging within the jail rest room at round 3.30 am, an official stated.

“Gawli went to the bathroom and allegedly used a towel to hold himself. The jail authorities later discovered the physique. A panchnama (spot inspection) was performed. The physique has been to the government-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai for submit mortem,” the Kharghar police station official stated.

Gawli’s lawyer Sanjay Dhakane stated he and the household of the useless suspect foul play.

“Vishal’s household believes he did not commit suicide. They concern he met the identical destiny because the accused within the Badlapur faculty case (Akshay Shinde) who was killed in an encounter (on September 23 final 12 months). We had beforehand requested safety for Vishal, realizing his life was at risk. An in depth inquiry into his loss of life is critical,” Dhakane stated.

Gawli was accused of raping and murdering a 12-year-old lady in Kalyan in December 2024.

The kid went lacking from Kolsewadi locality on December 24, and her physique was discovered later at Bapgaon village in Padgha below Thane Rural police jurisdiction.

A probe by Kolsewadi police led to the arrest of Gawli and his spouse Sakshi on prices of kidnapping for ransom, rape, homicide, inflicting disappearance of proof and different offences below Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Safety of Youngsters from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Police had filed a 948-page chargesheet in opposition to the couple in February this 12 months.

As per the police, Vishal Gawli raped and murdered the lady, whereas Sakshi helped him dump the physique in Bapgaon.

By the way, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had just lately appointed famend advocate Ujjwal Nikam because the particular public prosecutor.

Talking about Gawli’s alleged suicide, Kalyan East MLA Sulabha Gaikwad stated the sufferer’s household has acquired justice.

“Vishal Gawli deserved the strictest punishment. Whereas regulation enforcement companies and judiciary had been engaged on it, God has delivered the decision. The sufferer and her household have acquired justice,” she stated.

Kalyan West MLA Vishwanath Bhoir stated Gawli ideally ought to have been punished by regulation however “this too is pure justice”.

Shiv Sena (UBT) district chief Dipesh Mhatre emphasised the necessity for courtroom to ship fast judgments in order that it creates concern amongst offenders.

BJP chief Manisha Rane stated Gawli ought to have been punished publicly by regulation to ship a loud and clear message to these indulging in crimes in opposition to girls.

The trial took longer than anticipated however “in the long run karma caught up”, stated Congress chief Naveen Singh.

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)