Pravin Suryawanshi, a 52-year-old police constable assigned to Mumbai’s Shivaji Nagar police station, died on May 9, 2025, from injuries sustained during an assault by his wife, Smita, and son, Pratik. Initially registered as an accidental death, the post-mortem revealed 38 serious injuries, indicating unnatural death caused by haemorrhage and shock.
Following suspicions from relatives and contradictory statements from the accused, the Wadala TT Police arrested the wife and son on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Investigations point to long-standing property and financial disputes as the motive for the fatal incident.
The Incident and Police Findings
The assault occurred within the police housing quarters at Pratiksha Nagar in Sion, Mumbai. On the night of the incident, Smita and Pratik confronted Pravin outside the Shivaji Nagar police station over unresolved property transfers in Kalyan and Nashik and withheld financial support issues.
A heated argument escalated to violence when Pravin was pushed against a glass window, resulting in deep cuts from shattered panes. The police found blood spatter in two locations inside the home, contradicting the initial claim by Smita that the injuries were from a suicide attempt where Pravin smashed his hand on glass. Investigators discovered at least 15 contradictions in the statements provided by both accused, further raising suspicion of foul play.
After the attack, rather than calling for immediate medical help, the accused reportedly delayed treatment, with Pratik even leaving home to smoke a cigarette during this critical time. Pravin was found hours later by relatives in a gravely injured state and rushed to Sion Hospital where he was declared dead. Medical professionals confirmed that timely intervention could have saved his life.
The case was initially recorded as accidental death on June 13 but was reopened after family members demanded further investigation. The post-mortem report was key in changing the narrative to unnatural death due to trauma, supporting the culpable homicide charges.
Background: Domestic and Financial Turmoil
The case exposes deeper familial discord driven by financial disputes between Pravin and his family. Pravin had refused to transfer valuable properties to his son and withheld his monthly salary from his wife and son, fueling persistent arguments. Smita had been reported to openly confront Pravin at his workplace, creating tension before the fatal incident.
This toxic domestic environment raises awareness of how unresolved financial grievances can erupt into violence, even within families associated with law enforcement itself. The Wadala TT Police continue to probe into previous complaints and statements to gain a complete picture of events surrounding this tragedy.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The loss of a police constable to violence within his own family is a stark reminder of the urgent need for empathy, communication, and support systems to address domestic conflicts before they escalate fatal.
The Logical Indian calls for stronger institutional mechanisms providing timely counselling, protection, and financial literacy to families at risk.
Restorative dialogue and compassion must underpin efforts to create safer homes, where internal disputes are resolved without harm.
