NAVI MUMBAI: A 32-year-old homemaker and her two children -- 11-year-old son and six-year-old daughter -- allegedly jumped to their deaths from the 11th floor of their high-rise apartment in Panvel taluka on Monday night, after a Pune-based couple allegedly barged into their home and threatened them over the recovery of a Rs 2-lakh personal loan given to her husband.




The deceased woman was identified as Manasi Popete and her children Rudra and Hansika. They resided at the 11th-floor apartment rented by Manasi's husband Machindra Popete (42), a real estate agent. Acting on a complaint by Machindra, the Rasayani police, Raigad, registered an FIR under BNS section for abetment of suicide against accused Vishwanath Desai from Pune and his spouse Akshara. Police have also invoked other criminal offences of house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault, or wrongful restraint, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the public peace, aggravated criminal intimidation and joint criminal liability.




Abhijit Bhujbal, senior inspector of Rasayani, said Machindra was not at home when his wife and two children jumped to death. The complainant said he had taken a personal loan of Rs 2 lakh from Desai. As he was unable to repay the loan, Desai and his spouse Akshara started threatening him by repeatedly calling on his mobile. Machindra has also provided the mobile audio call recording of the threats.




On Monday, around 8.45 pm, the accused couple went to Popete's apartment, said SPI Desai. "Manasi did not respond to doorbells, but the couple banged and kicked on the door till she opened it. They forcibly entered the apartment, hurled expletives and threatened Manasi in the presence of her children, who were visibly petrified," said the SPI. "The couple left the apartment after warning that they will visit again. Unable to bear the mental torture and harassment, Manasi and her two children jumped to death soon after," he added.




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