A 21-year-old youth died while his girlfriend remains in critical condition after the couple allegedly consumed poison on Monday night following opposition from the young woman’s family to their relationship. The incident occurred in an open ground along Sangam Road in Wanadongri under MIDC police station limits. The deceased has been identified as Vishal Vilas Jawade (21), a resident of Wanadongri, Hingna. The young woman Punam (name changed) is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital. According to police, Vishal and Punam became friends during their college days, and their friendship gradually turned into a relationship.

 

They had planned to marry after completing their education. However, their plans hit a roadblock when Punam’s family came to know about the relationship and opposed it. Police said Vishal had made several attempts to convince Punam’s family to accept their relationship, but the issue remained unresolved. Continued opposition is believed to have caused the couple severe emotional distress. On Monday, between 1 pm to 2 pm, they allegedly went to an open ground on Sangam Road and consumed poison. Some local residents noticed them lying there and immediately alerted the police. MIDC police team rushed to the spot and shifted both of them to a nearby hospital. Vishal, however, succumbed to his condition during treatment at 12 midnight.

 

Punam continues to remain under medical care and is said to be in critical condition. Senior Police Inspector Prashant Deshmukh of MIDC Police Station said, “Preliminary investigation suggests that the couple was in a relationship and the woman’s family opposed to it. They allegedly consumed poison in an apparent suicide attempt. The young man died during treatment, while the woman is undergoing medical care. Her statement has not been recorded yet.” “A case of accidental death has been registered. The exact circumstances leading to the incident will become clear after recording the woman’s statement and completing the investigation,” he further added. Police have sent Vishal’s body for post-mortem and are continuing their investigation. Statements of family members and friends are also being recorded to establish the events that led to the incident. Soon after Vishal’s death, relatives and friends of Vishal reached Punam’s house. However, her parents walked away sensing trouble.