Tejas Navale
Pune, May 27, 2025: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police have launched a multi-team manhunt to trace Nilesh Chavan, who has been named a co-accused in the tragic suicide case of 26-year-old Vaishnavi Hagavane. In a significant development, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gaikwad confirmed that a ‘look out’ circular has been issued to prevent Chavan from fleeing the country.
Chavan has been implicated in a disturbing harassment charge involving Vaishnavi’s nine-month-old baby. The new FIR, registered at Bavdhan police station on Saturday, has deepened the gravity of the case. Sources within the department suggest that Chavan’s role in the case may be more direct and damaging than initially suspected.
Meanwhile, tensions between Vaishnavi’s family and Nilesh Chavan escalated on May 20, when Vaishnavi’s family, seeking custody of her infant, visited Chavan’s residence in the Karve Nagar area. What followed was a dramatic confrontation—Chavan allegedly brandished a pistol and threatened the family, forcing them to retreat. Despite repeated pleas, he refused to hand over the baby. Vaishnavi’s uncle, Manoj Kaspate, later approached the Warje Police and filed a formal complaint, accusing Chavan of illegal custody and intimidation.
While the Warje police registered a case under charges of criminal intimidation, they are also probing the possibility of unlawful confinement and other serious violations. Nilesh Chavan shares close ties with Vaishnavi’s husband, Shashank, and her sister-in-law, Karishma Hagavane—both already under arrest in this case.
Chavan has been on the run since the complaints were registered and is suspected to be deliberately misleading the police with false information. Initially, four teams from the Pimpri-Chinchwad police were on his trail. As of Monday, a fifth team was added to widen the search. These teams have been dispatched to multiple undisclosed locations to detain the accused. Meanwhile, Chavan’s brother and known associates are being intensively questioned to gather actionable intelligence to detain Chavan.