Mentally and physically harrassed peon commits suicide in office premises

In a shocking incident, a man working as a peon at the Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare, located in Navrangpura on Ashram Road, committed suicide by hanging himself inside the office room, allegedly due to unbearable harassment by Director Dr Amol Patil.

Before ending his life, he recorded a video message detailing the mental harassment he faced from Dr Patil and sent it to a friend. The Navrangpura police have registered a case and started an investigation.

Rohit Bhadarka, a resident of Pathan ni Chali, committed suicide on Thursday by hanging himself in a room of the Regional Office located in Nature View Building on Ashram Road. Bhadarka had been working as a peon in the office for the last six years. Before taking the extreme step, he sent his mobile phone password and a video to a friend.

The video, which is around six and a half minutes long, was downloaded and reviewed. In it, Rohit alleged that Dr Patil and a woman named Jigisha had a close association, and when Jigisha madam was in charge, Patil did not interfere much. However, after becoming the Director, Dr Patil began mentally harassing him over the past six months.

Bhadarka stated in the video that he used to come to the office at 8 am, clean the premises, and carry out various duties. Despite his dedication, Patil would allegedly threaten him, say he was not allowed to sit, and would purposely throw garbage on the floor to make him clean it again. 

He would allegedly make Bhadarka flush the toilet after he used it and physically assault him by kicking and pushing him under the sofa. Bhadarka was reportedly made to work 10 to 11 hours a day. Three years ago, due to a lack of budget, Bhadarka had reportedly worked for eight months without pay. He was also made to do household chores and clean Patil’s vehicle.

Faced with continuous and escalating mental harassment, Bhadarka ended his life. ACP HM Kansagara stated that a case of abetment to suicide and Atrocity Act have been filed against Patil. Staff statements will be taken, and the suicide video will be treated as key evidence in the investigation.