Former wrestler ends life with her two children, dowry charges filed against in-laws

Former national-level wrestler Ashwini Pol (30) and her two children died at Naldurg fort in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, while her third kid has been seriously injured. Dharashvi police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and dowry harassment against Ashwini’s spouse and her in-laws after a complaint was made by her father, Tanaji Shivaji Mohite (54).

Mr. Mohite is a resident of Whantal in Umarga and a teacher by profession. The incident was reported on Thursday (September 3, 2026), when her body was recovered from a 100-foot-deep gorge from the Upli bastion at the Naldurg Fort in Tuljapur tehsil.

“The prima facia investigation shows that Ashwini was harassed over the dowry and mentally tortured for giving birth to twin daughters,” said Ravindra Gaikwad, investigating officer in the case. Police registered the case under the under sections 80 (dowry death), 108 (abetment of suicide) and 85 (cruelty by a husband or his relatives against a woman) of Bhartiya Nyay Sahita (BNS).

Ashwini had won five gold and six silver medals in state- and national-level competitions of wrestling. On the day of the incident, the wrestler, along with her six-year-old son, Ajinkya, and two-and-a-half-year-old twin daughters, Kranti and Veera, visited the fort.

Ashwini and her son died on the spot, while one of the daughters, Kranti, succumbed to injuries during treatment at the hospital and Veera was put on ventilator, as per the police. Before death, Ashwini and her children were living at her maternal home in Whantal in Umarga Tehsil.

[Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and SNEHA’s suicide prevention helpline - 044 24640050 or from any of the numbers in this link]