Mumbai: Retd DCP & kin absconding after son weds, his girlfriend ends life

MUMBAI: An FIR has been registered against a retired DCP, Bapu Katakdhond, his wife, and two daughters in an alleged case of abetment to suicide after a 28-year-old woman ended her life the day the cop's son got married to another woman on December 14.
The retired cop's son, Atish, was arrested a day after he got married after the victim, Sonali Sadafule, alleged that she was ending her life as her boyfriend Atish made false promises of marriage and had a physical relationship with her.
Police are searching for Atish's parents and sisters. An officer from Saki Naka police station said the Chembur house where the retired DCP Katakdhond and his family stay was found locked and the family is missing. The names of his wife, Smita, and their two daughters have been mentioned in the FIR registered on a complaint from victim Sonali's mother Chaya (48).
TOI tried to contact the DCP via calls and messages on Sunday, but his cellphone was switched off.
Before ending her life, Sonali had called up her mother, Chaya, on December 14 around 3pm and informed her about Atish's marriage and broke down.
Sonali, after learning about Atish's marriage, had gone to the wedding reception venue at Ghatkopar with a friend, but was stopped at the entrance.
In the complaint, Sonali's mother Chaya said: "My daughter and Atish have known each other for eight years. His parents too knew about their relationship. In 2018, my second daughter Puja met Atish's sister to talk about Sonali's marriage. She had said they wanted a lavish wedding and even demanded huge dowry. Even his parents demanded money, failing which they said they were or not ready for the marriage. They even abused her and mistreated her."
The victim avoided meeting Atish after that. "Atish repeatedly met Sonali at her workplace and even told her that he was ready to elope with her and get married in court. A case of sexual assault and cheating was also registered against Atish in 2021 at Saki Naka police station," said a member of Sonali's family.
In June 2022, Atishagain got in touch with Sonali and promised to marry her. On December 10, Sonali's parents left for Latur. "On December 14, Sonali called me up to tell me that Atish had got married... I got a call around 6.30 pm that Sonali was seriously ill," Sonali's mother Chaya said.
A police officer said Sonali had left a suicide note saying she was fed up of the relationship. "I want justice and the accused and his family should be punished severely...," the note said.