Mumbai: A 45-year-old rickshaw driver, Deepak Pihal, took his own life on Saturday night in Mulund after enduring ongoing harassment and false complaints by his neighbor. The Mulund Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide against the neighbor, Vijay Jethwa (40), based on a complaint filed by Pihal's son, Vinay Pihal.
Deepak Pihal, a resident of Ramdev Nagar in Mulund Colony, lived with his family and worked as a rickshaw driver. His troubles began when his neighbor, Vijay Jethwa, constructed steps in the space where Pihal used to park his rickshaw. Although the steps were built with the consent of local residents, the Pihal family flattened the area to regain access. This led to escalating disputes between the two families.
Jethwa allegedly threatened the Pihal family and began harassing them. He is also accused of filing false complaints with the police, creating additional stress for Deepak Pihal, who eventually stopped parking his rickshaw in the disputed space. Unable to bear the constant arguments and stress, Deepak Pihal hanged himself on the night of Saturday, December 14, from a roof pipe in his house. Though his family rushed him to a nearby hospital, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Following the incident, Vinay Pihal, the deceased's son, lodged a complaint against Jethwa at the Mulund Police Station. The police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and are investigating the matter further.
