In a dramatic development in the EOW investigation into the ‘government quota housing scam’ and the fake tender for uniforms purchase at the Nashik Police Academy, IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar (51) has submitted a statement to probe officials leveling serious allegations against her husband, Purshottam Chavan (53), the main accused in the case.
Karandikar has accused Chavan of repeated physical and psychological abuse and asserted that his mental health issues and behavior were central to the disputed financial transactions currently under scrutiny by the EOW. Chavan is presently incarcerated in Arthur Road jail in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.
Distancing herself completely from the alleged rackets run by her husband, Karandikar has filed for divorce. She attributes responsibility for a series of contested financial moves to Chavan’s mental condition. The 2004-batch IPS officer, currently posted as Superintendent of Police, Civil Defence in Mumbai, described her husband as “violent, deceitful, and mentally unstable.”
In her detailed statement (a copy of which FPJ possesses), Karandikar claimed that Chavan subjected her to abusive behavior and financial exploitation for years, carrying out transactions in her name without her knowledge. She further asserted that Chavan led a “double life,” concealing his business dealings, financial losses, and movements while using her as a front for bank and demat accounts.
Karandikar revealed that she married Chavan in 2005, but his behavior became erratic by 2012. She alleged that he became aggressive and disappeared for six months. Upon his return, he was so weak that she admitted him to Bhiwandi’s Prime Hospital, where Dr. Sujit Sharma diagnosed him with bipolar disorder.
“He underwent 25 sessions of shock therapy. His aggression was so severe that he had to be restrained with chains on his hands and feet. Doctors also suspected schizophrenia,” she wrote. “I was forced to live with a patient, not a partner,” she added.
She also alleged mental harassment from her in-laws due to her inability to conceive. “They accused me of neglecting the household because of my police service. Only my father-in-law, Prabhakar Chavan, remained supportive,” Karandikar stated.
Between 2015 and the COVID-19 pandemic, Karandikar suffered multiple miscarriages and, despite undergoing IVF treatment, was unable to conceive.
On the financial front, Karandikar accused Chavan of systematically exploiting her financial identity. She claimed he opened an ICICI Bank account in her name under the Family Plan Scheme in 2015 and forced her to sign a few cheque leaves. When she resisted, he allegedly became aggressive. To avoid matrimonial conflict, she said she felt compelled to comply.
Karandikar added that all communications and transaction notifications related to this account were sent to Chavan’s personal email, leaving her without access or control.
Moreover, the IPS officer alleged that her personal share trading account with Anugrah Broking was exploited by her husband. Under violent pressure, she reluctantly connected her Anugrah Broking balance to his account at Motilal Oswal. Subsequently, he transferred her holdings on October 6, 2020, and sold them without her knowledge on January 6, 2021, resulting in significant financial loss.
In addition, she alleged that her life insurance policy with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance was surrendered by Chavan in March 2023 without her consent, with the proceeds diverted to an account solely controlled by him.
Karandikar claimed that over the years, Chavan had misappropriated her hard-earned savings, accumulated from her salary, liquidating them repeatedly for his personal use. “Every time I refused to transfer funds, he became violent,” she said.
She further alleged that her husband used proceeds from alleged criminal activities and the bank and demat accounts in her name for share trading, all without her knowledge.
To publicly clarify her position, Karandikar stated that public notices were published in regional and English newspapers on December 25, 2024, disassociating herself from all of Chavan’s financial activities.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/ips-officer-rashmi-karandikar-accuses-husband-of-physical-abuse-mental-cruelty-and-financial-exploitation-denies-role-in-alleged-scam