Pune: In a tragic turn of events, a 52-year-old construction businessman, Kishor Manohar Bettigiri, ended his life in the Dhayari area of Pune due to financial disputes related to an ongoing housing project.
The Sinhagad Road Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide against Bettigiri’s business partner and his two sons, who are alleged to have driven him to take this extreme step.
The police identified the accused as Surendra Baburao Laygude, Bettigiri’s business partner, along with Laygude’s sons, Sangram Surendra Laygude and Sagar Surendra Laygude.
All three are residents of Dhayari. A formal complaint was lodged by Savita Bettigiri, Kishor Bettigiri’s wife, who reported that her husband had been under severe financial pressure due to the demands and threats made by the Laygudes.
According to the investigation, Bettigiri and Surendra Laygude had jointly launched a construction business and were working on the Rajveer Avenue housing project in the Barangini Mala area of Dhayari.
The financial conflict arose when Swati Consultancy, operated by Sangram and Sagar Laygude, provided ₹91 lakh to Bettigiri. Though Bettigiri had repaid ₹80 lakh, the Laygudes allegedly halted the project two to three times, demanding the outstanding amount. They also seized control of two commercial shops within the project.
In her complaint, Savita stated that her husband had been facing immense mental pressure due to the threats. She revealed that the Laygudes had told her husband, "If you can’t repay the remaining money, then end your life," which plunged Bettigiri into depression. Unable to bear the burden, Bettigiri eventually hanged himself.
The police have recovered a suicide note left by Bettigiri, which points to the financial stress and threats he faced. Sub-Inspector Shrikant Sawant is leading the investigation, and further inquiries are ongoing.
