Forest Guard's Tragic Suicide in Hamirpur Exposes Alleged Corruption Pressure
A forest guard posted with the forest corporation in Hamirpur district has allegedly died by suicide after consuming a poisonous substance while on duty. The incident, which occurred late on Wednesday, has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about workplace pressures within the department.
Details of the Deceased and Incident
The deceased has been identified as Chandrashekhar Singh, a resident of Itaraur Bhishampur village under the Kotwali area of Chitrakoot district. He was serving as a forest guard (scaler) at a forest depot located in Dhanauri, within the Rath area of Hamirpur district. According to preliminary reports, Singh consumed poisonous substances during his duty hours and was initially rushed to the community health centre (CHC) in Rath.
Due to his critical condition, medical professionals referred him to a hospital in Orai for advanced treatment. He was subsequently transferred to Kanpur, where he tragically succumbed during treatment late on Wednesday evening. The sequence of events highlights the rapid deterioration of his health following the ingestion of the toxic substance.
Explosive Suicide Note Reveals Harrowing Allegations
Before his death, Chandrashekhar Singh reportedly penned a detailed two-page suicide note addressed to the Hamirpur superintendent of police. This note, discovered near his body, levelled grave accusations against officials and employees of the forest corporation. In the document, Singh explicitly named several officials from both the Hamirpur and Jhansi offices, alleging they coerced him into participating in illegal activities.
The note claimed that government timber was being clandestinely sold from the depot, with the proceeds being misappropriated by those involved. Furthermore, Singh asserted he was under immense pressure to pay Rs2.65 lakh from the alleged illegal sale of wood that had recently arrived at the depot. When he refused to comply, he faced relentless harassment and threats of suspension from his superiors.
Intensifying Pressure and Personal Struggles
Adding to his distress, the deceased mentioned in his note that his medical leave, which he had taken for essential eye treatment, had been unjustly rejected by the department. This rejection reportedly amplified the pressure he was already enduring. Singh stated he had been consistently opposing the illegal sale of timber, a stance that led to continuous mental harassment and ultimately drove him to take this extreme step.
Following his death, Singh's body was transported to Chitrakoot by grieving family members. It was during this process that they discovered the suicide note in his pocket. The family immediately demanded the registration of a formal case against the accused officials and alerted the local police. Authorities took custody of the body and arranged for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Family's Account and Delayed Information
Family members revealed that Chandrashekhar had visited home just a few days prior to the incident. During this visit, he confided in them about being harassed by his department, which had left him severely mentally distressed. They also alleged a significant delay in being informed about his critical condition.
The family claims they were only notified when Singh was being shifted to Orai, by which time he had already passed away. This lack of timely communication has added to their anguish and raised concerns about procedural lapses in handling such emergencies.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Superintendent of police Arun Kumar Singh confirmed that the deceased was posted in Hamirpur and the incident occurred within that jurisdiction. "The body has been brought here by the family and is being sent for post-mortem examination," he stated. "A suicide note has been found, in which allegations have been made against departmental officials. After the post-mortem report, all relevant details will be shared with Hamirpur police for further action."
The police are now awaiting the official post-mortem report to proceed with a thorough investigation into the allegations outlined in the suicide note. This case underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within forest department operations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
