The Bhosari police have registered a case against two women officials from a prominent IT company in Hinjewadi and another person on charges of abetting a 48-year-old IT professional's death by suicide at his home on June 2. The third suspect is a man whom the victim had befriended through social media, police said on Friday.
Case Registration and Suicide Note
Senior police inspector Sandip Ghorpade of the Bhosari police told TOI, “The case was registered on June 9 based on a suicide note, purportedly written by the victim. The note, found from his residence, names two women colleagues and another person. It mentions that he was ending his life because of harassment by the trio. Besides, a complaint was lodged by his 19-year-old son naming and accusing the three people of subjecting the IT professional to mental harassment.”
Police Investigation
He said, “We have issued a notice to the company’s HR department asking them to conduct an inquiry against the two women officials named in the complaint and later secure their presence before us for investigation. We will take a call on further action, including arrest, based on such an exercise.”
Company's Response
On its part, the company on Friday issued a press statement, which read: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time. The wellbeing of our employees is of utmost importance to us, and we are extending all support to the bereaved family.”
It added: “We have also taken note of the allegations against the two employees and are ascertaining the facts. Complete cooperation is being extended to the relevant authorities as they continue their investigation.”
The statement further read, “As this is an ongoing process, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage. We remain committed to fostering a workplace that is respectful, supportive, and inclusive for all our employees.”
Details of Harassment
An officer from the Bhosari police said, according to the complainant, since 2024, his parents had been in contact with a couple through a social media platform. Trouble started when this social media friend’s wife left him and went abroad following differences between them and the man allegedly held the complainant’s parents responsible for the separation and began harassing him, the complaint stated.
According to the complaint, the social media friend filed complaints of theft and cheating against the victim with the Hinjewadi police, and also sent a legal notice to the victim, besides allegedly sending false and defamatory emails to his official email address. “The complainant stated that his father was under stress because of the harassment,” the officer said.
Workplace Harassment Allegations
The officer said the complainant also alleged that two women colleagues from his father’s office used to insult him in front of the entire staff for no reason. The women allegedly took away good projects assigned to his father and gave him work that was not within his expertise. “As his father was unable to complete that work, the women allegedly threatened him that they would give negative feedback about his performance,” the officer said.
The complainant also alleged that the women caused trouble to his father while granting leave at the time of his (complainant) grandfather’s death. The victim used to discuss these issues with his wife at home.
Victim's State of Mind
“The man was under stress as his wife was also suffering from a chronic illness. Frustrated by the harassment, he took the extreme step at his house on June 2. He mentioned the names of all three accused in the suicide note. Our investigation is on,” the officer said.
