6 months after wife's death, constable hangs himself

A constable attached to the Sewri police station was found hanging at his Naigaon residence on Tuesday. The body of the constable, identified as Pravin Waigankar was found in a decomposed condition.

A constable attached to the Sewri police station was found hanging at his Naigaon residence on Tuesday. The body of the constable, identified as Pravin Waigankar was found in a decomposed condition.

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The police believe that he must have hanged himself a few days ago.

Waigankar was a resident of BDD chawl at Naigaon police quarters.

Vikram Patil, senior police inspector of Bhoiwada police station said the residents of Waigankar's chawl experienced a stench from his room on Monday. When they did not receive a response after knocking on his door, they informed the police control room.

"We sent a constable to make enquiries. When the door was not opened despite repeated knocks, the fire brigade was informed and the door was broken open," said Patil.

Police and firemen found Waigankar hanging from a nylon rope from a hook lodged high on the wall. "The body had been there for the past few days and was decomposed," Patil said.

"We questioned Waigankar's family. From his sister Vijaya, we learnt that Waigankar's wife died six months ago after a prolonged illness. After her death, Waigankar suffered from acute depression and was not mentally stable. Though we have not found any suicide note, the family members' statements support Vijaya's statement," said Patil.

Waigankar was living alone after his wife's death. His two children were living with their grandmother.