Couple get life term for killing Poonam Maharashtrian

She had changed her name from Hemlata Gaikwad after she was ill-treated,first by her alcoholic father and later by her husband and in-laws,to Poonam (after Pune) and added Maharashtra and Hindustani,too.

She drove a goods truck to support her son’s education and was active in social work in Shivdarshan area. A documentary on her,‘Rani Hindustani’ had won the special jury award in 2003 at Dallas South Asian Festival.

A Mumbai-based filmmaker Priti Chandriani had made the documentary. “Poonam was outspoken,tough and clear about what’s right and wrong. We were together for about a week for the documentary during which we came across a drunken man. I remember Poonam giving a piece of her mind to him. I believe this behaviour of hers led to the ill-fate,” Chandriani said.

She was murdered on December 18,2005 at her residence in Shivdarshan area. She had 47 stab wounds on her body. Following a complaint by her brother Anil Pandurang Shilimkar,Nivrutti,Renuka and two others were arrested within two days.

Additional Public Prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar examined over 15 witnesses. The sentence was based on witness accounts and medical reports.

One Rakesh Wegde used to frequent the house of Bhises and was known to Poonam,too. In May 2005,Poonam and Wegde had a heated argument after which Poonam had registered a non-cognisable offence with the police.

The weapons used in the crime were said to have been provided by Wegde.

According to the prosecution,on the day of the murder,the Bhises attacked and injured Poonam who started screaming for help, “Her brother heard her and tried to intervene. Poonam fled. The juvenile followed her and attacked her,” Pawar said.