Cop Booked For Abetting Suicide Of Father-Daughter Duo Who Were Found Hanging Dead At Their Home

A police officer from India has been booked for abetting the suicide of a father-daughter duo, authorities said.

Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) R S Kshirsagar of the Shahapur police station in the Thane district of Maharashtra was charged on Wednesday, March 6, for the suicide death of 35-year-old Vikas Kedare and his 11-year-old daughter, Arya.

Kedare who was out on bail after being accused of abetting his wife’s suicide, allegedly killed himself along with their daughter.

The duo were found hanging dead from the ceiling of their home in the Asangaon area on March 15, authorities said.

Hours before the tragedy, Kedare posted a two-page suicide note on his Facebook, blaming police sub-inspector for the extreme step.

He wrote the trauma he faced for seven months was more than what he could bear and so has decided to end his life with his daughter, reports said.

According to the police, Kedare's wife died by suicide after consuming poison on Aug. 15, last year.

Kedare and his mother were arrested and charged with abetting his wife’s suicide. He spent four months in prison before being released on bail.

"Police officer Shirsagar continued harassing my son for money in some excuse or the other before his arrest and after he came home on bail. I want action against him," Vikas' mother, who did not wish to be identified, had told the Times of India.

Investigators believe Kedare hanged his daughter before killing himself.

"After Vikas' arrest, Shirsagar illegally kept two of his laptops and did not show them on record. When Vikas asked for them as they belonged to his company, Shirsagar started demanding money," said the victim’s family friend, Shivaji Ragade.

"Before the FIR was filed against my brother and our mother, Kshirsagar called him and demanded Rs 1.50 lakh (1514 USD, saying the case against him was weak. My brother was shocked, and we had no money to pay. When in jail, my brother told us that our mother was suffering in jail because we didn’t give Kshirsagar any money," Kedar’s sister, Shilpa Shirsath told Mid-Day.

"Even after they got bail, Kshirsagar demanded money from my brother to return his laptop, and also asked for the papers of the flat he lived in. The officer tried all ways to torture my brother and that led to his suicide," she added.

The police officer was charged under Sections 305 (abetment of suicide of a child) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"Based on the complaint, we [Shahapur police] have registered an offence against the officer. The family alleges that Vikas and his daughter died by suicide because of monetary demands from the officer. Further probe will reveal more facts," a senior police officer who did not wish to be identified told the news outlet.

Ragade said "this is the first step towards delivering justice to both the deceased."

"Hope the culprit gets the punishment he deserves," he added.