An ex-serviceman suspected of murdering his wife and attempting to kill his teenage son was found dead in a suspected suicide in Pune's Khed area.

  • Ex-serviceman Mahendra Daundkar found hanging in Chandoli area, Khed.
  • Accused was wanted for the murder of his wife, Deepa, on August 30.
  • The suspect had also allegedly attempted to strangle his 17-year-old son.

In a chilling conclusion to a domestic horror story, Mahendra Shivaji Daundkar, a 45-year-old former Army personnel, was found dead on Wednesday in the Khed taluka of Pune. His body was discovered hanging from a tree in the Chandoli area, leading local authorities to suspect suicide. This development comes just days after a violent spree that left his wife dead and his son injured.

According to the FIR registered at the Khed Police Station, Daundkar had retired from the Indian Army in 2019. Following his retirement, he had been working as a security guard for a private firm in Vishrantwadi, Pune. The tragedy unfolded on the night of August 30 at their residence in Sangam Garden, where his 40-year-old wife, Deepa, was allegedly murdered.

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A Night of Terror

The victim's 17-year-old son, Atharva, provided a harrowing account of the night. After returning home from a friend's house, Atharva found his mother unresponsive in their bedroom. He noted that her face had turned bluish and there were visible injury marks on her neck. When he confronted his father, Daundkar allegedly locked the bedroom door and attempted to strangle the teenager with a cloth.

The struggle escalated when Daundkar reportedly retrieved two knives from the kitchen, threatening to stab his son. During the altercation, the teenager sustained a deep laceration to his right thumb. As neighbors intervened, Daundkar allegedly assaulted his elderly father-in-law before fleeing towards the nearby fields. Deepa was later declared dead at a government hospital in Chakan.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such incidents highlight the critical need for psychological support systems for veterans transitioning to civilian life. The intersection of domestic violence and the sudden escalation of lethal force presents a complex challenge for local law enforcement and social services.

The transition from military discipline to civilian life can sometimes trigger unforeseen psychological fractures if not managed with proper support.
Did You Know?: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is the new criminal code in India that has replaced the colonial-era IPC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What was the charge against Mahendra Daundkar?
Answer: He was charged under sections 103(1), 109(1), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and attempt to murder.

Question 2: What is the current status of the investigation?
Answer: The police are treating the death as a suspected suicide and are conducting further probes.