Constable hangs self at police HQs, blames seniors

Police say a note on his trousers says his seniors harassed him for money

A police constable allegedly committed suicide in the early hours of Tuesday by hanging himself at Pune police headquarters at Shivajinagar. Police said a note written by constable Devidas Suryabhan Kunjarwad (24) on his trousers states that he took the extreme step as he was being harassed by his instructors. Two of his seniors have been arrested, police said.

The incident came to light at 6.15 am when Devidas was found hanging from a tree near the parade ground. Devidas was in his uniform when he committed suicide. Police said he had written the names of the cops who allegedly harassed him. Before taking the extreme step, he had reportedly sent SMSes to his two elder brothers, saying his instructor Nana Salunkhe and sub-inspector Ramchandra Ghule were allegedly demanding money from him.

One of his brothers, Shivshankar Suryabhan Kunjarwad (26), also a police constable with Swargate traffic police division, lodged a complaint of abetment to suicide against Salunkhe and Ghule. The offence has been registered at Shivajinagar police station. Senior police inspector P N Patil is investigating the case.

Devidas joined the police force in May 2012. He was part of the batch undergoing a training at Shivajinagar police headquarters. As he had remained absent from June 11 to 14, 2012 during the training, a departmental action was initiated against him, police said.

As per the police complaint, drill instructor Salunkhe and sub-inspector Ghule had allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 from Devidas following the departmental action. As Devidas was unable to give the money, the duo allegedly harassed him physically and mentally, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (HQ) R L Sardeshpande said Devidas did not complain against his instructors to any of his seniors before. "I take two classes during the training session. Devidas never complained. Also, we got no complaints from other recruits. We take proper care of all recruits," said Sardeshpande.

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