RTI activist's wife alleges harassment, demands halt of hubby's suicide probe

Pune, Feb 1: The wife of RTI activist Vilas Baravkar, who allegedly committed suicide in 2014, has written to the Maharashtra Home Minister, district police and the CID demanding that the probe into the case be stopped as she alleged "harassment" by investigating agencies.

Ujwala Baravkar also threatened to kill herself and her children if the investigation is not stopped immediately.

In a letter sent to Home Minister, district police and CID on January 25, Ujjwala said her family has been "suffering" as the investigating agencies have repeatedly called them in connection with the probe into her husband's suicide. Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID, said he has not received the letter yet.

"Since I have not received the letter, I cannot react," he said. Ujwala said, "My family has been suffering a lot post my husband's death. We have been called repeatedly for investigation."

She said that she was fed up with the repeated inquiries and wanted an end to the trauma.

"...The investigating agencies have been calling us and others frequently, asking us the exact cause of my husband's suicide. This is causing us mental, social, economical and physical harassment...," she said.

RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar, one of the persons to whom the letter was addressed to, said, "The police should investigate the case sensitively and ensure that victim's family is not harassed or questioned."

Baravkar, who was working against illegal construction activity in Chakan and had received the ire of some political bigwigs, had on March 25, 2014, allegedly hanged himself at home in Pimpri Chinchwad area near here.

The 52-year-old RTI activist had mentioned over 50 names, including those of political leaders and police officials, in his four-page suicide note.

PTI