Pune Payal Zambre Death Case: Family Threatens Highway Blockade Over Delay in Arresting In-Laws
The family of Payal Akshay Zambre, who allegedly died by suicide in Pune's Mukund Nagar, has threatened a national highway blockade over delays in arresting her in-laws. Her husband, Akshay Zambre, has been remanded to police custody until November 7. Police are investigating allegations of dowry harassment, concerns over CCTV evidence and a WhatsApp message reportedly written before her death.
Pune, November 4, 2026: The family of 30-year-old Payal Akshay Zambre, who allegedly died by suicide at her residence in Mukund Nagar, has threatened to block a national highway if police fail to arrest the remaining accused in the alleged dowry harassment case.
Payal's husband, Akshay Zambre, has been arrested, while her mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law are also named in the case registered at Swargate Police Station.
The family has accused the in-laws of subjecting Payal to physical and mental harassment over alleged demands for dowry and gold.
Husband Remanded to Police Custody Until November 7
Police arrested Payal's husband, Akshay Zambre, following the registration of the case.
He was produced before a court on Tuesday, which remanded him to police custody until November 7.
Meanwhile, Payal's relatives visited Swargate Police Station and met senior police officers, demanding immediate action against the other three accused.
The family alleged that nearly 45 hours had passed since the incident, but the remaining accused had not been taken into custody.
Family Questions Police Investigation, Raises CCTV Concerns
Payal's relatives have also raised concerns about the progress of the investigation.
They alleged that her father-in-law had visited the police station but was subsequently taken outside by a police personnel without being detained.
The family further claimed that investigators had not yet seized CCTV footage from the residential society where the incident occurred.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of police action, relatives warned that villagers would block a national highway if the remaining accused were not arrested by Wednesday morning.
DCP Milind Mohite Responds to Family's Allegations
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Milind Mohite confirmed that Payal's relatives had met senior officers and expressed concerns about the investigation.
He said police had assured the family that the case was being investigated.
Addressing questions about the father-in-law's arrest, Mohite stated that he had been hospitalised due to health complications and would be arrested once his medical condition improved.
The DCP also confirmed that Akshay Zambre would remain in police custody until November 7.
Police Examine Alleged WhatsApp Message
Investigators are also examining a WhatsApp message reportedly written by Payal before her death.
According to police, the message allegedly referred to harassment by her in-laws and blamed them for her circumstances.
Authorities are investigating the authenticity and relevance of the message as part of the broader inquiry.
Police are examining the allegations of dowry-related harassment alongside the circumstances surrounding Payal's death.
The allegations against the accused remain under investigation and have not been established in court.