An Indian woman cop attempted suicide at a police station after alleging mental harassment by station house officer (SHO).
Constable Vaishali Pundir allegedly tried to hang herself at a police station in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh on Monday, reported The Times Of India. She was rescued and taken to a hospital by her colleagues. Doctors said that she was no longer in danger.
SHO Rajesh Kumar Meena has denied the allegation. He said, “Constable Vaishali’s duty was assigned at the local branch of State Bank of India. During inspection, she was found absent. When questioned about her absence, she was not able to provide any satisfactory answer. She attempted suicide to build pressure on me. Allegation of harassment is false.”
Sources said that Vaishali sent out a message in an official WhatsApp group before trying to kill herself.
She said in the note, “SHO is mentally torturing all the women constables. No one dares to confront him. I was not feeling well and told him that I would not be able to continue with the duty today. He didn’t listen to my pleas and officially reported that I was absent from duty without any prior information." She demanded for strict action to be taken against him so that he doesn’t try to harass anyone in the future.
District police have ordered a probe into it. According to Kasganj Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Sonkar, the circle officer of Sahawar has been ordered to conduct an investigation into the matter. He also said that on the basis of the investigation, action will be taken against whoever is found at fault.
In a separate incident, a woman constable attached to the special branch of Pune City Police hung herself at her residence in Wakad, reported The Indian Express.
The deceased, Shraddha Jaybhaye (28), is a resident of Kaveri Nagar Police Line in Wakad. Jaybhaye's husband works in the Indian Navy, and is posted in Kerala. They have a daughter.
According to police, Jaybhaye had her weekly off on Monday. After her duty on Sunday, she left her daughter at a relative’s place then headed back home. When her friend was unable to contact her after repeated calls, the Wakad police station was informed. On reaching her house, police found the door locked from inside. Police broke the door and found Jaybhaye's body. A case of accidental death was lodged.
Senior Police Inspector Vivek Muglikar said, “No suicide note was recovered. Probe is on. Cause behind the incident is not confirmed yet.”
