More than 10 years after assistant inspector Ashwini Bidre went missing, and over a year after a court convicted the man who murdered her, her family has finally received her death certificate. The Panvel Municipal Corporation issued the certificate on Friday, following repeated appeals by her husband Raju Gore and an order by an Executive Magistrate.The certificate records Ashwini’s death based on the magistrate’s July 31 order. Her body has never been recovered.Ashwini, then an assistant inspector with the Navi Mumbai Police, was last seen outside Kharghar railway station on April 11, 2016. Former police inspector Abhay Kurundkar was convicted of her murder by a Panvel sessions court on April 21, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Two other accused were sentenced to seven years. An appeal against the conviction is pending before the Bombay High Court.The family’s struggle for a death certificate, however, continued even after the conviction. Gore approached the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate, Thane Municipal Corporation, Thane Rural Police and authorities in Hatkanangale in Kolhapur, where the family is from.“We have finally been issued a death certificate after the long delay,” Gore said.Under the law, a person missing for seven years can be presumed dead, enabling legal heirs to seek succession, inheritance, insurance, gratuity, pension and other benefits. Gore had repeatedly said the absence of a death certificate had prevented the family from accessing such benefits.In July 2025, the Mira Bhayander civic body told Gore that a death certificate could not be issued “only on the basis of the judgment”, citing the possibility of an appeal and suggesting that directions be sought from an appropriate court.Story continues below this adThe Panvel civic body had earlier said the alleged place of death fell outside its jurisdiction. The Hatkanangale panchayat said no court had directed it to issue the certificate, while acknowledging that seven years had passed since Ashwini went missing.On July 31 this year, an Executive Magistrate ordered Panvel Municipal Corporation to issue the certificate. Even then, Gore had to write to authorities again on September 1, saying the document had not been issued.It was finally issued four days later.The death certificate now allows the family to begin the process of claiming the benefits that had remained pending for years.Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Mumbai