A 50-year-old man, serving a jail term for the murder of his minor son, ended his own life while on parole in his native village in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. The incident has cast a spotlight on the profound psychological aftermath of violent crime and the social ostracization faced by convicts.
A Tragic End During Parole
Damra Patel, a resident of Ranisara village in Tharad taluka, was recently released on parole from Sabarmati Central Jail. He had been convicted for the 2023 murder of his 10-year-old son, whom he had beaten to death while intoxicated. During this parole period, which he spent alone at his village home, Patel remained deeply withdrawn, avoiding interaction and confining himself indoors.
The tragic culmination occurred on Thursday morning. According to the Tharad police, Patel ingested a pesticide at his house. As his condition rapidly worsened, relatives rushed him to the Tharad government hospital using a 108 ambulance. However, he was declared dead before formal admission. His body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination.
Burdened by Guilt and Social Isolation
Inspector A T Patel of Tharad police revealed that the convict had been living under severe emotional distress since committing the crime. "He expressed remorse and guilt over killing his son while under the influence of alcohol," the inspector stated. "He shared with some relatives and close friends that he was unable to live with the stigma and decided to end his life."
Investigators were informed that Patel had even forewarned family members of his intention to take his life and had sought parole specifically for this purpose. His mental state was a significant concern; he was undergoing medical treatment for psychological issues linked to guilt and trauma, and family members reported he made disturbing statements during his parole.
The social environment exacerbated his despair. Police and family confirmed that Patel faced intense social isolation whenever released. Villagers kept their distance, and some openly taunted him, deepening his alienation. This resentment stemmed from the lingering fear and horror over his past crime. Following the murder, his wife and younger son had also begun living separately.
Investigation and Aftermath
Patel belonged to a family of two brothers and four sisters, with one brother having predeceased him due to illness. The Tharad police have registered a case of accidental death and initiated a further inquiry to fully ascertain the circumstances leading to the suicide.
This incident raises poignant questions about the support systems—or lack thereof—for individuals grappling with extreme guilt post-conviction, and the complex interplay between legal punishment, social judgment, and mental health.
