Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde’s Aide Booked for Alleged Abetment of Wife’s Suicide

The wife of a personal assistant of Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde was found dead in her flat in central Mumbai allegedly following a domestic dispute, prompting police to register an abetment of suicide case against her husband and his two relatives, officials said on Sunday (November 24, 2025)."Gauri Palve (28), wife of Anant Garje, was a resident of Worli. Police have registered a case of abetment of suicide against Garje and his two relatives at Worli police station," an official said."The couple had tied the knot in February this year. The deceased was working as a dentist in the civic-run KEM Hospital," he said. “Palve's family has alleged that she took the extreme step following torture and harassment by Garje and demanded a thorough

investigation,” police said.Her family members stated in an FIR that Mr. Garje's extramarital affair caused a dispute between the couple, and he used to threaten her. Palve's uncle alleged that his niece was murdered by Mr. Garje and his family members and demanded an in-camera postmortem and an investigation by CBI.He also appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, seeking a detailed probe. "Family members of the deceased woman have given us few names besides that of her husband, and we have registered a case against all of them," a Worli police station official added.State Animal Husbandry and Environment Minister Munde said, “Police should investigate the matter and ensure there are no lapses. "Another PA of mine received a call from Anant Garje's phone between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m. on Saturday (November 24, 2025). He was crying inconsolably. He told me with great distress that his wife had died. This was very shocking", Ms. Munde said in a statement.The Minister reiterated that the police conduct a proper investigation into the matter, and that she had conveyed this to the police. "I also spoke with Gauri Palve's father. I can understand that he is in great sorrow. What happens in someone's personal life is incomprehensible", she added.