2 min readPuneUpdated: Jul 17, 2026 01:09 AM IST
A real estate developer and contractor died by suicide at his residence in Gultekdi area of Pune city after recording four videos on his cellphone, in which he stated that he was debt-ridden, police said.
Police identified the deceased as Khalil Rajjulal Shaikh, 65, resident of Ashiyana Roshan, Dais Plot in Gultekdi. Police said he died on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. He also left a suicide note before his death.
His wife Sultana, 50, lodged the first information report (FIR) at Swargate police station.
As per the FIR, police have booked former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar and his wife, former corporator Bala Shedge and his wife, Vishal Kedari, Sunil Ayyar and his son, Raghu Gauda, Sunil Bora, Rajan Sethia, Hamid Shaikh and his son, Sham Kolapkar and one Shubham, under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 108 (abetment of sucide), 316 (2), 351 (2), 352, 3 (5).
Dhangekar is a prominent politician from Pune and is a leader of Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. His wife was among Shaikh’s business partners in a private firm. In his videos and suicide note, Shaikh named Dhangekar and Shedge, whose wife was also his business partner. He also named other accused persons in connection with other of his business projects and financial deals.
Shaikh claimed he faced financial losses to the tune of lakhs of rupees because of the accused persons. He is also alleged to have got threats from some of the accused. Speaking to media persons, Dhangekar refuted the allegations.
The Pune city police reached his house and launched a probe into his death. Later an FIR was lodged and an investigation was initiated to verify the information in his videos and suicide note.
Story continues below this ad
When contacted, senior police inspector Yashwant Nikam of Swargate police station said, “The family of the deceased came to know about the suicide around 6 am on Thursday. Investigation is underway.”
