A 42-year-old man from Sasaram, driven to despair after losing approximately Rs 42 lakh in a cyberfraud and allegedly failing to get help from the police, ended his life on Sunday evening. The incident has exposed serious lapses in the system and sparked outrage in the community.
A Desperate Plea for Help Ignored
The deceased, identified as Arun Kumar Singh, was a father of two daughters from a middle-class family. He ran a small cloth shop in the locality and owned a modest plot of land measuring around four kathas. According to police and family sources, cybercriminals had misused Arun's bank account to conduct fraudulent transactions worth Rs 42 lakh.
Arun discovered the fraud just two days before his tragic death. He immediately approached the local police station under Darigaon police station area in Sasaram, seeking redressal. However, his attempts to get an FIR registered were reportedly unsuccessful. Family members allege that the Station House Officer (SHO) advised him to lodge the complaint at the cyber police station in Dehri-on-Sone instead.
The Relentless Pursuit of Justice That Failed
Following the initial advice, Arun visited the cyber police station. Yet, his family claims he did not receive any relief there either. In a final, desperate bid for justice, he even met with senior police officers. Unfortunately, these efforts yielded no assistance.
The continuous stress of the massive financial loss, coupled with the fear of being wrongly branded as a fraudster and the exhausting cycle of visiting police offices, plunged him into severe mental distress. "He tried his best to get justice but the system failed him. The stress and social stigma were unbearable," a grieving family member stated.
Outrage and Official Inquiry Ordered
Unable to bear the immense pressure, Arun Kumar Singh consumed poison at his home in Khaira village on Sunday evening. He was pronounced dead, leaving behind his devastated family.
The incident has triggered strong reactions, highlighting glaring gaps in the response mechanism of the Rohtas police to cybercrime victims. Sasaram Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Dilip Kumar confirmed that the body was handed over to the family after a post-mortem. He added that an inquiry has been ordered into the entire incident. "All aspects of the matter are being examined," the SDPO stated.
This tragic case underscores the urgent need for a more empathetic and efficient system to handle cybercrime complaints, where victims feel supported rather than pushed to the brink.
