Vikram Gaikwad Killed Over Financial Dispute Or Is It An Honour Killing For Marrying Girl From Maratha Community?

Days after the gruesome murder of a youth belonging to the Dalit community in Bhor Tehsil led to a political uproar in Pune district, the FIR and investigation by Pune Rural Police suggest that the murder was a fallout of a financial dispute. Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased, along with activists from Ambedkarite organizations, staged a protest claiming that the murder was an incident of honor killing.

It should be noted that the deceased, Vikram Dadasaheb Gaikwad (30) from Bhor’s Utrauli village, had married a girl from the Maratha community from the neighboring village in September last year.

Following the protest, the family members of the youth and protestors also met Pune Rural SP Pankaj Deshmukh to demand a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to probe the matter. After the meeting, the family of the youth was provided protection by rural police, as per the press release issued by Pune Rural Police.

However, according to the FIR, Vikram was a Buddhist Dalit, and on February 8, he met with his friend Anuj Chavan, a 24-year-old from Venavdi hamlet in Bhor. It is reported that Vikram wanted to take back the money he had loaned to Anuj, a member of the Maratha community. According to the allegations, Anuj killed Vikram by attacking him with a sharp object during a discussion about the money. Anuj was thereafter taken into custody by the police on suspicion of murder in accordance with sections 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

He was killed in the Pombardi village jurisdiction.

Earlier, the Republican Party’s state president, Parshuram Wadekar, had demanded that the murder of Buddhist youth Vikram Gaikwad from Bhor in the district be thoroughly investigated, as it was committed due to an inter-caste marriage. He termed the incident an honor killing and called for the arrest of all those involved.

Dr. Siddharth Dhende, former Pune Deputy Mayor, and Rahul Dambale of the Republican Yuva Morcha also supported the demand for a proper investigation.

Police say no lead on honor killing angle

Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Pune Rural Police, speaking to the Free Press Journal, said, “The accused is in magisterial custody remand. Based on the leads, we are investigating the case, but there is nothing concrete to prove the victim’s family’s allegations or theory. As per our investigation, nothing is clear that indicates an honor killing.”

“It is purely a murder committed in the heat of passion due to disputes over financial transactions between them. The accused, Anuj Chavan, borrowed 2 lakh rupees from Vikram Gaikwad four to five months ago under the pretext of constructing a poultry farm. As per the provisions of the Atrocity Act, we initially provided two constables for protection. However, this has been increased, and four policemen have now been deployed for family protection,” he added.