A 29-year-old school teacher, Payal Kumari, allegedly died by suicide at her residence in the Central Coalfields Limited’s KDH colony under the Khalari police station limits on Saturday evening, police said.
According to her parents, Payal returned from school, had dinner with them, and then went to her room. Shortly after, she began vomiting after allegedly consuming poison. Family members rushed her to the Dakra-based CCL hospital, where she died during treatment.
Payal had recently resumed work after recovering from a gunshot injury suffered in an assault by Sunil Kewat on December 26, 2025. Sunil, who was stated to be in a relationship with her, later shot himself dead. Payal underwent month-long treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) in Ranchi, police added.
Though she had been attending school regularly, she might have been suffering from depression, police added.
Officer in-charge of the Khalari police station, Jaideep Toppo, said, “Police have registered a case of unnatural death. The post-mortem examination of the body has been conducted but the report is awaited.”
Background of the Incident
The tragic event has raised questions about the mental health of individuals who survive violent attacks. Payal had shown remarkable resilience by returning to work after her recovery, but the psychological scars may have been too deep to overcome.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to her death, and the post-mortem report is expected to provide more clarity.
