A former national-level wrestler, her young son, and one of her twin daughters died Thursday after falling from a historic fort in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district—a tragedy that has now triggered serious criminal charges against her husband and in-laws.

Key facts

  • Ashwini Pol (30), her son Ajinkya (6), and daughter Kranti (2.5) died in the fall.
  • Second twin daughter, Veera, was seriously injured and placed on a ventilator.
  • Police filed charges of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide.
  • The fall occurred from the Upli bastion at Naldurg Fort, a 100-foot drop.

A Champion’s Tragic End

Ashwini Pol was no stranger to pressure. As a wrestler, she had won five gold and six silver medals in state and national competitions. But the struggles she faced off the mat, her father alleges, became unbearable.

She was living with her three young children in Whantal when the family visited Naldurg Fort on September 3. What happened next remains under investigation, but the outcome was devastating: a plunge into a deep gorge that killed Ashwini and her son instantly. Her daughter Kranti later died in hospital.

Allegations of Abuse

In the aftermath, Ashwini’s father, Tanaji Shivaji Mohite, filed a complaint with Dharashvi police. He stated that his daughter had been harassed over dowry and mentally tortured—particularly for giving birth to twin girls.

Investigating officer Ravindra Gaikwad confirmed the allegations shaped the police response. “The prima facie investigation shows that Ashwini was harassed over the dowry and mentally tortured for giving birth to twin daughters,” he said.

“The prima facie investigation shows that Ashwini was harassed over the dowry and mentally tortured for giving birth to twin daughters.”
— Ravindra Gaikwad, Investigating Officer

Legal Response

Police acted swiftly, registering a case under the Bhartiya Nyay Sahita against Ashwini’s husband and in-laws. Charges include dowry death, abetment of suicide, and cruelty by relatives—allegations that reflect a grim pattern still haunting many households.

As the community grapples with the loss, one child, Veera, fights for her life. Meanwhile, a family’s cry for justice echoes from a small Maharashtra village to national headlines.