Ghaziabad Real Estate Broker Arrested in Employee Suicide Case
A real estate broker from Ghaziabad has been arrested on charges of abetment of suicide following the tragic death of his employee, who was found hanging in his office. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about workplace exploitation and personal deception.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The accused, identified as Dheeraj Kumar, was taken into custody by police on Friday after his employee, 28-year-old Ashi Gautam, was discovered deceased in his Keshav Complex office located in the DLF area of Ghaziabad. According to police reports, the victim had been working as an office secretary and accountant for Dheeraj for nearly four years.
The investigation revealed multiple layers of distress faced by the deceased employee. Police stated that Dheeraj had failed to pay Ashi her salary for the past five months, creating significant financial strain. Furthermore, the accused had allegedly deceived the woman by promising marriage while concealing the fact that he was already married with a child.
Pattern of Deception and Abuse
According to a complaint filed by the victim's aunt, Indu, the professional relationship between Dheeraj and Ashi evolved into a romantic involvement over the years. The complainant claimed that Dheeraj had deliberately hidden his marital status from Ashi throughout their relationship.
When Ashi discovered his marriage approximately three to four months ago, Dheeraj allegedly assured her that he would leave his wife. He continued visiting Ashi at her Railway Vihar residence, maintaining the illusion of a future together. However, the situation deteriorated when Ashi recently raised the issue of marriage again.
The complaint details disturbing allegations of threats and abuse. According to Indu, Dheeraj began threatening Ashi, her mother Renu, and her sister Kashish. He allegedly subjected Ashi to both mental and physical abuse, creating an environment of fear and intimidation.
Final Hours and Discovery
The tragedy unfolded on January 28 when Ashi spoke to her mother Renu over the phone just hours before her death. Renu had traveled to Lucknow to visit relatives a week prior to the incident. Later that afternoon, Dheeraj discovered Ashi's body in the office and immediately called Dial 112, the emergency response number.
Dheeraj claimed that Ashi had died by suicide by hanging while other employees were out for lunch. However, police investigation revealed a more complex picture of the circumstances leading to her death.
Financial and Emotional Pressures
Ankur Vihar ACP Gyan Prakash Rai provided additional context during the investigation. Ashi lived in a rented house and served as the sole earner for her family of three, which included her mother and sister. The non-payment of her salary for four to five months had created severe financial hardship.
Police revealed that Ashi had taken out a loan and was struggling to keep up with EMI payments. The combination of unpaid wages, financial obligations, and the emotional turmoil from the broken relationship created overwhelming pressure. According to ACP Rai, frequent arguments occurred over both the personal relationship and the unpaid salary.
During police questioning, Dheeraj admitted that he could not marry Ashi due to his existing marriage. This admission, combined with the pattern of financial neglect and emotional manipulation, formed the basis for the charges against him.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Dheeraj Kumar has been arrested under BNS Section 108, which deals specifically with abetment of suicide. The arrest represents a significant development in a case that highlights the intersection of workplace exploitation and personal deception.
Police authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing. Officers have yet to record statements from other employees who worked under the real estate broker. This suggests that additional details may emerge as the case progresses through the legal system.
The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by employees in certain professional settings and the devastating consequences that can result from exploitation, deception, and financial neglect.
