Nashik murder-suicide: Woman, 20, stabbed near temple; accused found hanging
Synopsis
A 20-year-old student was stabbed multiple times near a temple in Nashik's Indiranagar late Friday night, allegedly by a 26-year-old man she had reportedly been in a live-in relationship with for two years. Hours later, the accused was found hanging from a tree at a nearby jogging track. Police suspect he refused to accept her decision not to marry him — and that the night ended in murder and suicide.
Key Takeaways
Vaishnavi Avare , 20, was stabbed to death near a temple in Indiranagar, Nashik , late on Friday, 18 July .
The accused, Sahil Ashok Lavare , 26, was found hanging from a tree at the Indiranagar jogging track at around 3 am Saturday .
Police suspect a murder-suicide; Avare and Lavare had allegedly been in a live-in relationship for nearly two years .
Investigators believe the attack was triggered by the victim's alleged refusal to marry the accused.
A case of murder has been registered; investigation into the exact motive and sequence of events is ongoing.
A 20-year-old woman was stabbed to death near a temple in the Indiranagar area of Nashik, Maharashtra, late on Friday night, 18 July, allegedly by a 26-year-old man who was subsequently found hanging from a tree at a nearby jogging track in the early hours of Saturday. Police suspect the incident to be a case of murder followed by suicide.
What Happened
The victim, identified as Vaishnavi Avare, was attacked near a temple in Indiranagar by the accused, Sahil Ashok Lavare. According to officials, Lavare allegedly stabbed Avare multiple times and slit her throat with a knife. Residents rushed to the spot after hearing her screams, but the accused had already fled by the time they arrived. Avare succumbed to her injuries at the scene before medical help could reach her.
Accused Found Dead Hours Later
At around 3 am on Saturday, Lavare was found hanging from a tree at the Indiranagar jogging track complex — the same locality where the attack took place. Police suspect he died by suicide after allegedly committing the murder. The sequence of events unfolded within a span of a few hours in the same neighbourhood.
Relationship and Suspected Motive
Preliminary investigation initially pointed to a one-sided love affair as the possible trigger. However, further findings revealed that Avare and Lavare had allegedly been in a live-in relationship for nearly two years. According to investigators, the accused allegedly attacked the woman after she reportedly refused to marry him. Officials have cautioned that the precise motive is yet to be conclusively established.
Investigation Underway
Police have registered a case of murder and launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact sequence of events and confirm the motive. Avare, described by officials as a student, had been residing as a paying guest in the Indiranagar locality. Authorities say further probe is ongoing.
The case underscores a troubling pattern of intimate-partner violence in urban Maharashtra, where disputes within relationships — including live-in arrangements — have increasingly ended in fatal outcomes. Nashik police have not yet ruled out any angle and are expected to record statements from residents and witnesses who responded to the scene.
Point of View
Reportedly refusing marriage after a two-year relationship. What makes it particularly alarming is the geography: the attack and the suicide both occurred in the same residential locality, within hours, suggesting premeditation rather than impulse. Maharashtra has seen a string of such cases in smaller cities, yet systemic interventions — counselling infrastructure, early-warning mechanisms for women in volatile relationships — remain thin on the ground. The investigation must go beyond establishing motive and examine whether there were prior complaints or warning signs that went unaddressed.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Nashik murder-suicide case on 18 July?
A 20-year-old woman, Vaishnavi Avare, was stabbed to death near a temple in Nashik's Indiranagar area late on Friday night, 18 July, allegedly by 26-year-old Sahil Ashok Lavare. Hours later, Lavare was found hanging from a tree at a jogging track in the same locality, in what police suspect was a murder-suicide.
Who were the victim and the accused in the Nashik case?
The victim was Vaishnavi Avare, a 20-year-old student living as a paying guest in the Indiranagar area of Nashik. The accused was Sahil Ashok Lavare, 26, who allegedly had a live-in relationship with her for nearly two years before the incident.
What is the suspected motive behind the Nashik stabbing?
According to preliminary findings, the accused allegedly attacked Vaishnavi Avare after she refused to marry him. Police initially suspected a one-sided love affair but later established that the two had been in a live-in relationship for approximately two years. The exact motive is still under investigation.
How did residents respond to the attack?
Residents in the Indiranagar locality rushed to the spot after hearing the victim's screams, but by the time they arrived, the accused had already fled the scene. Vaishnavi Avare succumbed to her injuries before medical assistance could reach her.
What action has Nashik police taken in the case?
Nashik police have registered a case of murder and launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the precise sequence of events and confirm the motive. Authorities are recording witness statements and say further probe is underway.
