A 35-year-old court employee died by suicide at the Saket court complex in Delhi on Friday, leaving behind a note that blamed immense work pressure for his extreme step. The incident has triggered protests by court staff and lawyers, who are highlighting severe staff shortages and unsustainable workloads within the city's judicial system.
The Tragic Incident and Suicide Note
The victim has been identified as Harish Singh Mahar, who had been working as an Ahlmad (court staff) since 2010. At the time of his death, he was posted at a digital traffic court. According to police and sources, Mahar jumped from the fifth floor of a building near court number 511 within the Saket court premises.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Sharma confirmed that an investigation is underway and that a suicide note was recovered. In the poignant note, Mahar did not hold any individual responsible but described his struggle with the demands of his job.
"I believed I would overcome this but I failed. I am 60% handicapped… this job is very tough for me and I succumbed to the pressure…," the note stated, as per sources.
Protests Erupt Demanding Justice and Systemic Change
Following the tragic death, court staff staged a sit-in protest outside the building, chanting "Justice for Harish." Lawyers soon joined the demonstration in solidarity, raising slogans of "Tez bolo. Justice for Harish." The gathering defied police instructions, with some lawyers recording videos to highlight the issue.
Protesters voiced their anger and frustration over systemic issues. "He jumped due to work pressure. This is too much work to handle for anyone, let alone a differently abled person. How can someone be expected to deal with so many files?" questioned a court staffer present at the spot.
Another staffer pointed to a critical shortage, alleging, "There is a shortage of 3,000 clerical staff in Delhi’s courts… one person is handling the work of four people."
Calls for Accountability and a Pathetic State of Affairs
Advocate Dhir Singh Kasana, who was at the complex, remembered Mahar as a lively person and blamed the work culture for his death. "This work pressure took his life. It is a pathetic state of affairs," he said.
The protesting lawyers demanded immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and accountability for the circumstances that led to the suicide. "An FIR has to be registered… someone has died…," one lawyer insisted. Others reassured the grieving staff, with one lawyer stating, "Don’t go anywhere. Lawyers are with you. Don’t be scared…"
The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the working conditions within Delhi's district courts, raising urgent questions about mental health support, reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, and the dire need to address the chronic shortage of clerical staff that is overburdening existing employees.
