Widow of Mumbai cop who died of manja cut: Ready to serve city, just like my husband did

Constable Sameer Jadhav’s wife Aparna and daughter Swara hold a portrait of the deceased police officer as his father, Suresh, looks on at the family’s Worli residence on Sunday. Pic/Atul Kamble

I have lost my husband, but no one else should suffer a painful death like him," said Aparna Jadhav, whose spouse, Sameer Jadhav, a constable attached to the Dindoshi police station, died after kite manja slit his neck while he was on his bike at Vakola on December 24. She also demanded the strictest punishment for sellers of Chinese or nylon manja. Jadhav's father revealed that his son had attempted to crack the police exam twice but failed. After this, he didn't eat for 15 days; however, he never gave up, succeeding the third time.

I am proud of my husband, whose dream was to be a police officer. He joined the police force in 2011 only to help people receive justice. Police duty was his number one priority. If I get the chance, I will also join the police department to continue his dream," Aparna said.

Constable Sameer Jadhav's wife Aparna and daughter Swara, surrounded by relatives, hold a portrait of the deceased police officer at the family's Worli residence on Sunday. Pic/Shirish Vaktania

She added, "I lost my husband, and my kids lost their father. Still, deadly manja is being sold openly. I request the government to take strict action against such sellers, who are endangering the lives of others. If this manja is not made available in the market, nobody will use it."

A father's recollections

Suresh Jadhav, the father of the deceased said, "We hail from Veral village in Mandangad, Ratnagiri, and my son was the only police officer from there. I am proud of Sameer, who dedicated his entire life to the police department. When he was small, his dream was to join the police force to help people. He fulfilled his dream. In the village, he gave gifts to families in need. He also had the habit of gifting a pen to people with their names printed on them. My son believed that the innocent deserved justice, so always lent a hand. His wish to set up a home for my wife and me in the village is nearly accomplished as only the painting work is pending. Every month, he would return to Veral to meet the family bearing gifts and food. I am proud of my son," Suresh said.

Day of the incident

Recalling the incident, Aparna said, "It was around 4 pm on Sunday when Sameer video-called me and showed me items he had bought, including biscuit packets, vegetables and cloth for a pooja that was to be held for our new home in Veral. I was so happy that we were going to the village on Dutta Jayanti. My husband told me that he was famished as he had only eaten misal pav in the morning. So, I decided to prepare food for him. As he didn't return home at 4.30 pm, I called him repeatedly, but to no avail. I also informed neighbours and relatives but didn't get any information about him. Finally, around 6 pm, I received information that he had met with an accident and had been admitted to Sion hospital."

She added, "A few minutes later, I learnt that Sameer had died after a manja slit in his neck on Vakola bridge. A witness also told me that my husband was wearing a helmet. When the manja got entangled in his bike, he stopped the vehicle and parked it. He also tried to remove the manja that had gotten entwined around his neck and fell on the road. The local people rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. It was such a painful end."

Suresh said, "I was in the village, overjoyed that my son was returning when I received a call informing me about the incident. Sameer had called that morning and told me that he had booked his train ticket and would arrive at the village by the following morning with his wife and kids."

Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration) S Jaykumar said, "Members of Jadhav's family, including his wife and children, are eligible for recruitment. The police department will help the family."

Dec 24
Day mishap occurred