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SIT Formed to Probe Minister,s PA in Wife Suicide Case

High-Profile Domestic Dispute Involving Extra-Marital Allegations; Police Seek to Unravel Abetment Angle
by: Aftab Shaikh

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Mumbai (4 Dec 2025) - The Mumbai Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough and high-level probe into the role of Anant Garje, the personal assistant (PA) to a prominent Maharashtra Cabinet Minister, in the alleged suicide of his wife, Dr. Gauri Palve (28).

Dr. Palve, a dental surgeon at a civic-run hospital, was found dead at their Worli residence last month, an incident which her family has strongly alleged was an abetment to suicide, if not murder, following severe mental and physical harassment.

SIT Takes Over: Focus on Coercion and Harassment-

The decision to form a specialised SIT comes amid growing pressure from the victim,s family, who have sought a detailed and impartial probe into the circumstances leading up to her death, which occurred barely ten months after her marriage to Garje.

The initial case, registered by Worli Police against Garje and two of his relatives under charges of abetment to suicide, has now been transferred to the SIT for greater scrutiny.

Key allegations cited by Dr. Palve,s family in their FIR:

  • Extra-Marital Affair: That the PA was allegedly engaged in an extra-marital affair which led to frequent, violent disputes between the couple.
  • Harassment and Threat: Allegations of physical and mental torture, coupled with threats by the accused to commit suicide and falsely blame the victim.
  • Family Involvement: The inclusion of Garje,s brother and sister in the FIR for allegedly warning the deceased to "adjust" or face the prospect of the family arranging a second marriage for him.


    • Political Connect: Minister Assures Full Cooperation-

    The high-profile nature of the case, involving the personal staff of a state minister, has put the spotlight on the political corridors of Mumbai. The Minister, Pankaja Munde, in a recent public statement, expressed deep shock over the tragedy and affirmed her complete confidence in the police,s ability to conduct a fair and lapse-free investigation.

    Garje was arrested shortly after the incident and was remanded to police custody before being shifted to judicial custody. The SIT,s immediate task is to collect and scrutinise digital evidence, including mobile phone records and forensic reports, to determine the exact sequence of events that led to Dr. Palve,s untimely demise.
    The case has reignited concerns over domestic abuse and the alleged misuse of political influence in personal matters, demanding swift justice for the young doctor.