Titwala suicide: Letter threatens victim's kin to withdraw case against cops

Mitesh's mother Pushpa shows the letter. Pic/Datta Kumbhar

It has been almost six months that 21-year-old Mitesh Rajesh Jagtap committed suicide by hanging in his Titwala residence, but it seems the local police will not let his family live in peace. Instead of getting justice for his son, who allegedly killed himself after being beaten up by four officers of Titwala police station in connection with a bike theft case, they received a threat letter on Monday, asking them to withdraw the case that they have been pursuing against the cops. The letter also mentions that they could claim a huge amount of money for taking back the case.

Also read - Mumbai: Cop arrested for abetment of suicide after man kills himself alleging harassment

Suicide over depression
According to Mitesh's mother Pushpa Jagtap, her son committed suicide because he was depressed over his illegal detention. The cops had even asked his father Rajesh Jagtap to pay Rs 50,000 or else his son would be trapped in a false case. Soon after Mitesh's death, his family had approached the high court asking it to register a case against Pradeep Kasbe, senior PI; Rajesh Kopkar, assistant PI; Ganpat Sule, sub-inspector and Anil Rathod, constable. After an HC order, a case was registered and the investigation was handed over to the local CB of Thane rural police.

A police officer said, "A case was registered in January this year under sections 306 and 34 of IPC against Sule and Rathod." Scared of living at Titwala after Mitesh's death, his parents had shifted to Dombivli. However, they continued to be harassed in different ways. "We shifted to Dombivli within a month of Mitesh's death. But I daily go back to the Titwala residence to take tuition classes. On Saturday when I reached the house, I found the letter. It clearly threatens us to take back the case," said Pushpa. The family then approached the Titwala cops and filed a complaint. Thereafter, a non-cognizable offence was registered. Pushpa's brother Naresh Awhad, said, "The police are delaying the probe. Kopkar had even offered us '25 lakh to settle the matter."

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai, National and International news here

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go