Odisha Police Constable Takes Own Life Amid Family Opposition to Marriage
A 27-year-old constable serving in Nayagarh district, Odisha, has allegedly ended his life using his service pistol in a tragic incident that unfolded early Thursday morning. The shocking event occurred just one week after his engagement ceremony, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a celebratory period.
Financial Transfer Precedes Tragic Act
Before taking the extreme step, the constable, identified as Sunil Sethi, transferred a substantial sum of Rs 9 lakh to his fiancée's bank account. Police authorities confirmed this distressing detail, revealing that Sethi had recently secured this amount as a bank loan specifically to fund his wedding, which was scheduled for the coming month.
"Before ending his life, he sent several emotional messages to his fiancée and transferred the loan amount to her account," stated Nayagarh Superintendent of Police S Susree, providing crucial insight into the constable's final actions.
Mounting Family Pressure and Stress
Investigations have uncovered that Sethi had been experiencing severe emotional distress due to his family's strong opposition to his marriage plans. The constable, who joined the Odisha police force as an Armed Police Reserve constable in 2023, wished to marry the sister of his elder brother's wife, a relationship his family reportedly disapproved of entirely.
Despite this familial resistance, Sethi proceeded with his engagement ceremony last week, an event that his family chose to boycott. The situation deteriorated further when Sethi disclosed to his family that he had taken a loan to finance the wedding. This revelation reportedly led to heightened tensions, with family members asking him to leave the household.
Final Hours and Disturbing Communications
Police have reconstructed the constable's final hours through evidence gathered from his social media conversations and phone messages. Around 1 AM on Thursday, Sethi made a phone call to his fiancée, during which he hinted at taking drastic action. He followed this with explicit messages stating his intention to end his life.
The fiancée did not read these messages until approximately 8 AM, at which time she also discovered the Rs 9 lakh deposit in her account. In a desperate response, she warned that she might harm herself if Sethi carried out his threat. Tragically, by this time, Sethi's body had already been discovered on the terrace of the police reserve line barrack in Nayagarh.
Police Investigation and Circumstances
Authorities found the constable's body lying in a pool of blood, with his service pistol nearby. "We suspect he pulled the trigger hours after sending the messages to his fiancée," revealed a police officer involved in the investigation. The officer further explained that Sethi had been searching for rented accommodation in Nayagarh following the family dispute, indicating his intention to establish an independent life.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the profound impact of familial pressure and relationship conflicts on mental health, particularly among individuals in demanding professions like law enforcement. The Odisha police department has initiated a thorough investigation into all aspects of the case, examining both the personal circumstances and procedural elements surrounding the tragedy.
