Deceased’s father alleges harassment, says she had uncovered documents that indicated her husband was being unfaithful; According to the FIR lodged by her father, she was allegedly subjected to mental and physical harassment and had frequent quarrels with her husband
Gauri Palve (in red) and the accused at their wedding earlier this year. Pics/By Special Arrangement
The wife of a personal assistant to Pankaja Munde, Maharashtra minister for animal husbandry, environment and climate change, was found dead in her Worli residence on Saturday evening, leading to the registration of an FIR against her husband and two in-laws for alleged abetment of suicide. The deceased, Dr Gauri Palve, 28, a dentist, had married Anant Bhagwan Garje earlier this year.
According to the FIR lodged by her father, Ashok Palve, Gauri was allegedly subjected to mental and physical harassment and had frequent quarrels with her husband. He alleged that she had recently found documents indicating her husband’s alleged relationship with another woman, which caused distress. The FIR states that when she confronted him, he allegedly threatened to harm himself if she revealed the matter.
Anant Bhagwan Garje, husband of the deceased
The complaint further alleges that Gauri had told her parents that she was also being threatened by her sister-in-law, Sheetal Garje-Aandhale, and brother-in-law, Ajay Garje. On Saturday, the family received a call from Anant stating that Gauri had allegedly attempted suicide. Later that evening, relatives were informed that she had died and was taken to Nair Hospital. Based on the father’s complaint, the Worli police registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 108, 85, 352 and 351(2) against Anant, Sheetal and Ajay.
The investigation
The police are verifying whether the death is, indeed, a case of suicide. “All allegations in the FIR are being examined, and further enquiry is underway,” a senior officer said. When asked about the incident, the deceased’s father, who had come to Worli police station overcome with grief, said, “What can I say… my child is gone. I don’t want to say anything. Please don’t ask me anything. My child is no more. I don’t understand anything now.”
Minister speaks
Munde, in a statement, said, “On November 22, 2025, between 6.30 pm and 6.45 pm, my PA Anant called on the phone of another PA of mine. He was crying uncontrollably. In deep distress, he told me that his wife had died by suicide. This news was extremely shocking. I have clearly stated that there should be no lapses in the police investigation and that the police must conduct a proper and thorough probe into the matter. I have also conveyed the same to the police officials. I spoke to Gauri’s father too — he is in immense grief, and I completely understand his pain. Incidents like these leave a lasting wound and numb the mind. It is impossible to fully understand what goes on in someone’s deeply personal life. This sudden and shocking incident has left me very disturbed.”
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