Lawyer found dead at Nyay Mandir under mysterious circumstances

• Suicide note dated Nov 18 found from Adv Khandalkar’s shirt 

• Family, friends confirm that he was under depression 

• Cops to probe homicidal angle

• Post martem report likely today 

• CM directs top brass to personally supervise probe 

• DBA demands CCTV surveillance, better security at Nyay Mandir 

By Dheeraj Fartode

Sensation prevailed in legal fraternity after a badly mangled body of a prominent lawyer Adv Shrikant Khandalkar was found inside Nyay Mandir premises on Sunday afternoon. The discovery of dead body on back side of District Court building Civil Lines under the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station raised a serious question-mark over security of the building and after initial confusion about cause of death, it became clear by Sunday night that Adv Khandalkar abruptly ended his life by jumping from Nyay Mandir. The cops discovered a suicide note dated November 18 from his person and his elder brother confirmed the handwriting and most of his relatives also endorsed that Adv Khandalkar was under depression since last some months. 

Looking at the gravity of the matter, the cops have decided to investigate the entire case from homicidal death angle. Mobile of Adv Khandalkar is yet to be tracked. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who was briefed about the matter also directed top officials to personally supervise the investigations and unearth the truth. Directions have been issued to tighten security of district court. Adv Shrikant Jagannath Khandalkar (50), a resident of Tanga Stand, Dharampeth in his suicide note stated that he was fed up with illness and hence resorting to extreme step and urged that nobody should be held responsible for his death. 

However, many within legal fraternity disputed authenticity of the letter and suspected foul play stating that Adv Khandalkar had appeared in many high-profile PILs including one related to irrigation scam, PWD scam, land records scam and many irregularities committed by authorities. It is quite possible that some vested interests must have eliminated him, many within legal fraternity apprehended. 

Taking no chance, the investigating machinery swung into action and within minutes found the suicide note from the shirt of Adv Khandalkar whose black coat and attire clearly indicates that his death must have occurred on Saturday evening or night, when court was functional. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Zone II) Sanjay Latkar informed that though suicide note has ruled out involvement of any other person, still the police will investigate the case from homicide angle. Initially, Sadar police have registered the case of accidental death, he said. 

The incident came to light when a youngster noticed the body and informed police staff who was deployed at the court for security. The staff immediately informed police control room. Senior police officers including Additional CP Shrikant Tarwade and DCP Latkar rushed to the spot.

The police officers immediately came to the conclusion that Shrikant had either jumped or thrown from the building. The police inspected whole building to find out clue. Meanwhile, the police have recovered documents from shirt of Khandalkar in which the police found a suicide note. 

The body was sent to Mayo Hospital for autopsy. DCP Latkar further informed that Rajenda Khandalkar, brother of the deceased has identified handwriting of his younger brother Shrikant. The suicide note dated November 18 has been signed by Khandalkar 

A missing complaint was also lodged by Dr Nishigandha Khandalkar, wife of Shrikant at Sitabuldi Police Station on Saturday evening when Shrikant didn’t reach home and his phone was found switched off. She reportedly told the police that Shrikant was under tremendous stress since last 15 days. However, mobile phone of Khandalkar is yet to recovered by the police. Cops are likely to inspect Nyay Mandir building on Monday morning again. 

Shrikant Khandalkar has left behind wife Dr Nishigandha, daughter Shrinidhi and son Siddhesh. Funeral procession will start from his home at 3.30 pm and last rites will performed at Ambazari ghat. 

A soft-spoken lawyer, Adv Khandalkar had a modest beginning and initially worked as a stenographer in district court and later shifted to practice. He was junior to Bhushan Gavai, who was a leading lawyer then (before his elevation as HC judge) and established a good practice in civil court and high court as well. He had filed numerous PILs in High Court against Nagpur University, NIT, NMC, PWD and most notably against irrigation scam which was tagged with main PIL filed by Jan Manch.

Friends and well-wishers were shocked to learn about the incident. A large number of lawyers rushed to spot and later to his residence to console the bereaved family. Senior Administrative Judge of Nagpur bench Justice Bhushan Gavai also visited Khandalkar’s residence and offered his condolences. Many of his lawyer colleagues confirmed that he was under stress particularly after one unpleasant episode and was not his usual self since couple of weeks.