Lawyer's suicide: 14 days on, arrests still elusive

Fourteen days after the death of environmental lawyer advocate Sarita Khanchandani, the Vithalwadi police have yet to arrest any of the five accused named in her suicide note, raising serious questions about the pace of investigation.

- Pranali Lotlikar & NK Gupta

Meanwhile, two of the accused — Raj Chandwani and UBT leader Dhananjay Bodare— have approached the Kalyan Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court has rejected Chandwani's plea, while Bodare's application is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.

Sarita had been involved in a dispute with a female tenant Giya Gopalani who rented a room behind her office.

Advocate Sarita, popularly known as the "Iron Lady of Ulhasnagar" for her fearless advocacy on behalf of marginalized groups and environmental causes, was found dead by suicide on August 29. Her suicide note reportedly named Giya Gopalani, Ulhas Falke, Shivani Falke, Raj Chandwani and UBT leader Dhananjay Bodare as allegedly responsible for pushing her to the brink.