Mumbai: Cop fights with wife, sets himself on fire

Balkrishna Gaikwad, a 40-year-old police constable deployed with the east region control room, allegedly committed suicide by setting himself ablaze at his residence in Lal Dongar, Chunabhatti on Sunday. He died in a hospital on Monday. HT reports.

Balkrishna Gaikwad, a 40-year-old police constable deployed with the east region control room, allegedly committed suicide by setting himself ablaze at his residence in Lal Dongar, Chunabhatti on Sunday. He died in a hospital on Monday.

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The police said that Gaikwad was on sick leave since April 1 and suspect that he committed suicide for personal reasons.

The police also said that Gaikwad had married thrice and was suspended last year after the father of his third wife complained to the department.

“Gaikwad was suspended under the civil services rules in September 2012 while he was posted with the Nehru Nagar police station,” said a police officer.

He was re-instated in January 2013 and was then posted with the east region control room.

The police said that on Sunday, Gaikwad poured petrol on himself in a fit of rage after quarreling with his wife. He then set himself on fire.

The police did not find any suicide note, Damodar Chaudhari, senior police inspector of Chunabhatti police station said.

Police have made it clear that Gaikwad was earlier posted with the Nehru Nagar police station but he was “not among the 36 that were suspended for graft charges.”