Speical Correspondent
Pimpri Chinchwad: In a heart-wrenching development, 32-year-old Shirish Maharaj More, the 11th descendant of Saint Tukaram Maharaj, died by suicide at his Dehu residence on Wednesday morning. Preliminary findings by the police suggest financial difficulties drove him to take the extreme step.
Shirish Maharaj had recently built a new home, residing on the upper floor while his parents stayed on the ground floor. On Tuesday night, he went to his room as usual but did not come downstairs the following morning. When his family members knocked on the door and received no response, they broke it open, only to find him hanging from a ceiling fan hook using a stole.
A note left at the scene mentioned financial hardship as the reason for his drastic decision. Police have secured the note and are conducting a thorough investigation. Further complicating matters is the discovery that his mobile phone data had been entirely wiped clean.
Upon receiving the information, Dehu Road police, under the leadership of Senior Inspector Vikram Bansode, launched an investigation.
Shirish Maharaj, recently engaged and set to marry next month, had initially been hesitant but agreed due to family insistence. His sudden demise has left his family and relatives devastated.
A devout follower of prominent Hindu preacher Sambhaji Bhide, Shirish Maharaj actively propagated the teachings of Saint Tukaram Maharaj. He played a vital role in the Warkari community and ran an idli restaurant in Nigdi.
The funeral for Shirish Maharaj More will take place today at 4 p.m. at Vaikunth crematorium. His untimely demise has sent shockwaves through Dehu and the Warkari community, who mourn the loss of a dedicated religious leader.
