Jaysingpur deaths: police say asphyxiation by strangulation, probe under way
Kolhapur: A 25-year-old woman and her two young children were found dead at their home in Jaysingpur town on Saturday evening, police said, as investigators continue to probe the circumstances that led to the incident.
The deceased have been identified as Sangita Gadivadar (25) and her children — a four-year-old daughter, Pragati, and a one-and-a-half-year-old son, Pratik, according to local police.
The bodies were discovered around 6 pm when Sangita’s brother-in-law returned home and found all three hanging, the police said. Sub-divisional police officer Amol Thakur said the preliminary forensic findings and the postmortem report indicated that the cause of death in all three cases was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
“Postmortem report states that the deaths were due to asphyxiation caused by strangulation and there is no evidence of foul play. However, the investigation is still on,”
Thakur said investigators believe the sequence was that Sangita first hanged her daughter and son, and then hanged herself. Police added that no suicide note was recovered from the house.
Family background and possible stress factors
According to the police, Sangita’s husband, Raju Gadivadar, works as a construction labourer. He was previously married and has two children aged 10 and 8 from that marriage; his first wife died in 2019. After his second marriage to Sangita, all family members were living in the same house, police said.
Investigators told reporters they learnt from family members that the couple frequently quarreled over household responsibilities. Thakur said Sangita had often complained about having to look after all four children, which reportedly caused her considerable stress. The couple had an argument on Saturday afternoon and the husband left for work before the bodies were discovered.
What police are focusing on now
- Confirming the precise sequence of events that led to the deaths, including timelines and movements of family members that afternoon.
- Carrying out forensic and medico-legal procedures to corroborate the postmortem findings and collect any additional evidence.
- Interviewing relatives, neighbours and other witnesses to reconstruct family dynamics and gather information on potential triggers.
Thakur said the initial investigation did not show signs of external foul play, but police emphasised that inquiries were ongoing to rule out any alternative explanations. The officer noted that Sangita’s formal education had been limited — she had studied up to Class I and was reportedly barely able to read or write — a detail cited by investigators while piecing together the family’s circumstances.
Local context and community response
Jaysingpur, a taluka of Kolhapur district, is a closely knit town where such incidents reverberate through extended family networks and neighbourhoods. Residents and community leaders often approach police and local NGOs for counselling and support services after traumatic events. Police said they would coordinate with local agencies if the family required social assistance following completion of legal formalities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Jaysingpur town, Kolhapur district |
| Victims | Sangita (25), Pragati (4), Pratik (1.5) |
| Reported cause | Asphyxiation due to strangulation (postmortem) |
| Investigating officer | Sub-divisional police officer Amol Thakur |
Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward and assist the investigation. Further statements and legal procedures are expected as investigators complete forensic tests and question additional family members and neighbours.
Local authorities said they would provide updates as the probe progresses, and added that counselling resources could be arranged for family members and neighbours affected by the incident.
Reporting from Kolhapur.
