Sanitation Worker Ends Life In Dhar; Suicide Note Blames Two Civic Staffers

Dhar (Madhya Pradesh): A sanitation worker in Sardarpur tehsil committed suicide due to alleged mental harassment by a chief municipal officer and a civic staffer, a police official said on Monday.

Sardarpur sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP) Vishwadeep Singh Parihar identified the deceased as Rajesh Sankhla (50), an employee of Sardarpur Nagar Parishad, 40 km from the district headquarters.

"He hanged himself in his house on Sunday. He used to drive the garbage vehicle of the nagar parishad. He left behind a suicide note. It was handed over to us by his kin. They held a protest here after which we assured them the note will be thoroughly probed," the SDOP said.

Police said Sankhla in his note has accused the chief municipal officer of Sardarpur Nagar Parishad and a "daroga" (a civic post) of mental harassment and blamed them for forcing him to take the extreme step.

Police discovered two suicide notes, one dating back over three months. Placing the body, family members protested outside the municipal council office, demanding action against the officials responsible. Local administration officials intervened to calm them.

The deceased's son, Piyush Sankla, stated his father was frequently depressed by officer harassment. He revealed an earlier incident on May 25, when his father was allegedly contemplating suicide, leading to the older note. The family demanded an FIR and action against the accused officials. Police official said that a suicide note was found and legal action would be taken.