Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Ex-serviceman accused of wife’s murder found hanging after fleeing
Police accused former Army serviceman Mahendra Daundkar of killing his wife, Deepa, at their home on August 30.
Their 17-year-old son, Atharva, said he found his mother unresponsive.
He reportedly saw marks on her neck and confronted his father.
Police said Daundkar then attacked Atharva and threatened him with knives.
Relatives reportedly tried to stop him, but he escaped.
Police searched for him for several days.
On Wednesday, they found him hanging from a tree near the Bhima river.
Police are investigating both the allegations against him and the circumstances of his death, and the murder allegations had not been proven in court.
Mahendra Shivaji Daundkar, 45, was accused of strangling his wife, Deepa, on August 30.
Police said Daundkar allegedly attacked his 17-year-old son, Atharva, before fleeing the home.
Daundkar had retired from the Army in 2019 and later worked as a private security guard.
Police found his body hanging from a tree near the Bhima river in Chandoli on Wednesday.
His wife’s death was investigated as a murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, while his death was registered as an accidental-death case and is being investigated as a suspected suicide.
- Who
- Former serviceman Mahendra Shivaji Daundkar, his wife Deepa, and their 17-year-old son Atharva.
- What
- Daundkar was accused of killing his wife and attacking his son before he was found hanging from a tree.
- When
- The alleged attack occurred on the night of August 30; Daundkar was found Wednesday morning.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred at the family home in Sangam Garden, Rajgurunagar, Khed; his body was found in Chandoli near the Bhima river.
- Why
- Police said repeated disputes reportedly involved Deepa’s strained relationship with Daundkar’s sister.
Police Allegations
Legal Status And Investigation
Death of Deepa
Police Allegations
Atharva’s complaint alleged that Daundkar strangled Deepa after finding her unresponsive and noticing marks on her neck.
Legal Status And Investigation
The allegations against Daundkar had not been established in court.
Attack on Atharva
Police Allegations
The complaint alleged that Daundkar tried to strangle Atharva with a dupatta and later threatened him with knives.
Legal Status And Investigation
The reported attack remains part of the police investigation based on Atharva’s complaint.
Daundkar’s death
Police Allegations
Police said initial findings pointed to a suspected suicide after his body was found hanging during the search.
Legal Status And Investigation
Khed police registered an accidental-death case, and the circumstances leading to his death remain under investigation.
- Accused
- Mahendra Shivaji Daundkar, 45
- Victim
- Deepa Mahendra Daundkar, 40
- Alleged incident
- Night of August 30 at the family home
- Son
- Atharva, 17
- Body location
- A tree near the Bhima river in Chandoli village
- Murder investigation
- Case registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Death investigation
- Khed police registered an accidental-death case; the circumstances are being investigated as a suspected suicide
