Haldwani (Uttarakhand) [India], January 11 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the suicide of Sukhwant Singh, a farmer from Kashipur, who shot himself in a Haldwani hotel room.
Singh alleged harassment and extortion by Udham Singh Nagar police in a Facebook Live video before his death, citing a ₹4 crore land fraud case and pressure from police and property dealers.
Dhami has directed the Kumaon Commissioner, Deepak Rawat, to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
The Chief Minister has instructed that a fair and transparent investigation be conducted into all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the truth.
He has made it clear that if negligence or wrongdoing is found at any level, strict action will be taken against those responsible.
Chief Minister Dhami has also sought a detailed report on the entire matter from Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan and Director General of Police Deepam Seth.
Expressing deep condolences to the bereaved family, the Chief Minister said that the state government stands firmly with them in this difficult time and has directed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the affected family.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Dr V Murugeshan told ANI over the phone that in the case of suicide by 40-year-old farmer Sukhwant Singh, a resident of Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district, the IG of Kumaon Range, Riddim Agarwal, has been directed to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report to Police Headquarters.
The tragedy unfolded at a hotel in Gaulapar, where Sukhwant Singh was staying with his wife and son. Following a reported commotion in the hotel room late at night, Singh's wife and son stepped out. Shortly after, Singh used a firearm to end his life.
Singh's father revealed that the farmer had been under immense mental pressure due to a ₹4 crore land fraud case in Kashipur. The family alleges that cheating by property dealers, coupled with relentless police pressure, pushed him to the brink.
In his final video, Singh named senior officials, including the SSP of Udham Singh Nagar, claiming he was being mentally shattered by constant demands for money and police harassment.
The Kathgodam police have taken custody of the body for a post-mortem examination. The investigation is currently focusing on two primary pieces of evidence -- Facebook Live Video and the suicide note.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a "serious note" of the incident, emphasising that "truth must come to light" through a transparent investigation.
Manjunath TC, SSP Nainital, confirmed the recovery of a suicide note; statements from the wife and son have been recorded.
Nainital SSP Manjunath TC said the matter is being investigated thoroughly. He said statements of the deceased's wife and son have been recorded, and that the suicide note handed over by the wife, along with the video circulating on social media, has been included in the investigation. He added that further legal action will be taken in response to the family's complaint.