Pune Police Register Case Against NCP Candidate for Extortion and Abetment to Suicide

Pune Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and extortion against a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Ajit Pawar's faction, following the alleged suicide of a 56-year-old businessman in Pune's Camp area. The deceased, Sadiq Hussain alias Babu Kapoor, was found hanging inside his real estate office in the Camp area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Lashkar Police Station, on Saturday evening.

Police recovered a two-page suicide note from the scene. One portion of the note was written on paper, while another was reportedly written on the deceased's hand. The note named Farooq Inamdar, an NCP candidate from Ward No. 41, along with three other individuals, alleging continuous financial and mental harassment and an extortion demand of Rs 50 lakh.

Based on the contents of the suicide note and a complaint filed by the deceased's son, police registered an FIR under Sections 108, 308(2), and 3(5) of the Bombay Police Act at Lashkar Police Station. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajlaxmi Shivankar stated that the police are proceeding strictly in accordance with the law.

'A suicide note has been recovered, and based on the complaint, a case has been registered at Lashkar Police Station. The allegations mentioned in the note are being verified. All aspects, including financial transactions and the background of the individuals named, are under investigation,' Shivankar told the media.

When asked whether the extortion demands were made to fund the election campaign, DCP Shivankar mentioned that there is no such mention by the complainant, but the police will investigate it from all angles.

An Accidental Death Report (ADR) was initially registered, after which a detailed inquiry was launched. The forensic team and crime branch officials inspected the scene, and the body was sent to Sassoon General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The deceased was allegedly involved in a land dispute involving around five gunthas in the Syed Nagar area. Police are probing whether this dispute has a direct link to the allegations cited in the suicide note. Additionally, police confirmed that Kapoor had previously faced action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), and his antecedents are being verified as part of the ongoing probe. However, a family member denied the allegations, stating that all cases were fabricated.

No arrests have been made so far. Police said further action will be taken after corroborating evidence and statements are recorded.