Vishal Gawli, Accused in Kalyan Rape-Murder Case, Dies by Suicide in Custody

Vishal Gawli Dies by Suicide: A Taloja jail official said Vishal Gawli, who was accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering a minor girl in Kalyan, Maharashtra, used a towel to hang himself to death in Taloja Central Jail.

Vishal Gawli (35) was found hanging in the prison toilet at around 3.30 am, officials told PTI.

His body was sent to JJ Hospital for post-mortem. Accused Vishal Gawli was imprisoned in Taloja jail for three and a half months," the Taloja Jail official told news agency ANI.

An official from Kharghar police station said Gawli went to the toilet and allegedly used a towel to hang himself. Later, the prison authorities found the body.

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The Kalyan rape and murder case sparked outrage as it was followed by another sexual assault case in Badlapur, which occurred in August last year, where the victims were two minors studying in nursery class.

The minor's body was recovered on December 24 and Sakshi was arrested the same night. Vishal was nabbed the next day from Buldhana district. Sakshi who worked in a bank, is Vishal's third wife.

Maharashtra government had announced that the case would be tried in a fast-track court and appointed a special public prosecutor.

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An investigation by Kolsewadi police led to the arrest of Gawli and his wife Sakshi on charges of kidnapping for ransom, rape, murder, causing disappearance of evidence and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

In February this year, an official said that the investigation was nearing completion and discussions were underway with senior lawyer Ujjwal Nika to strengthen the case and make it water-tight.

The Kalyan police in February filed a 948-page chargesheet against the couple.

"Vishal Gawli raped and murdered the girl, while Sakshi helped him dump the body in Bapgaon," a police statement earlier said.

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