Mumbai woman kills self, blames assistant commissioner of police, his family in suicide note

Preliminary investigations revealed a financial dispute between the Mumbai woman and the accused

The Navghar police in Mulund booked an assistant commissioner of police (ACP), his wife and daughter, for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 44-year-old woman.

There were frequent skirmishes between the woman and the accused. They had asked police to file non-cognisable offences against each other in the past. (HT File)

Riya Palande was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her bedroom in Samarth Villa at Mulund (East) on Thursday afternoon.

Based on her suicide note, police booked ACP Damodar Chaudhari, his wife Bharati, and daughter Neelakshi.

“Preliminary investigations revealed a financial dispute between Riya and the accused. We are investigating a few online transactions between the deceased and the accused,” said an officer from the Navghar police station, who is privy to the investigation.

Police said one of Riya’s friends had been trying call her, but found her phone switched off on the day of her death.

“Riya had told her maid that she would be resting in the bedroom. The friend, accompanied by others, opened the bedroom door and found Riya’s body,” said an officer.

Using a marker, Riya wrote on the walls of her bedroom that she had left a suicide note in a shop in Mulund (West).

“There were frequent skirmishes between Riya and the accused. They had asked police to file non-cognisable offences against each other in the past,” said the officer.

Riya’s family told HT they were in a state of shock and did not wish to divulge any details. “We have video-graphed the writings on the wall,” said the officer. The accused were booked under section 306 (abetment of suicide) and 34 (common intention) Indian Penal Code.