Maha minister's brother-in-law ends life over crop losses

The deceased was brother of Water Supply Minister Lonikar's wife.

Parbhani: Brother-in-law of Maharashtra Minister Babanrao Lonikar allegedly committed suicide in Nividi village in the district on Saturday apparently over recurring crop losses and mounting debts.

The deceased-- Kailash Balasaheb Khiste (45)-- was brother of Water Supply Minister Lonikar's wife, police said.

"Khiste hanged himself from the ceiling of his house in the village located in Jintur tehsil this morning. A case of accidental death has been registered in this regard," a police officer said.

According to sources in the family and village, the victim owned 15 acres of land. He had taken loan, but was frustrated as he suffered crop losses in the last four years and was unable to repay the loan.

Some other family members, however, claimed that he took the extreme step as a result of some family dispute.

Police are investigating further into the case.