A 50-year-old man, serving a jail term for the murder of his own son, ended his life while on parole in his native village in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlighted the severe psychological toll of the crime on the convict.
A Tragic End During Parole
Damra Patel, a resident of Ranisara village in Tharad taluka, was recently released on parole from Sabarmati Central Jail. He had been convicted for the 2023 murder of his minor son, whom he had beaten to death while under the influence of alcohol. According to police, Patel returned alone to his village home but remained deeply withdrawn, avoiding social interaction and confining himself indoors during his parole period.
The Final Act of Despair
The tragedy unfolded early on Thursday. Police officials stated that Patel ingested a poisonous pesticide. When his condition rapidly deteriorated, alarmed relatives rushed him to the Tharad government hospital. However, he was declared dead before formal admission. His body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Guilt and Remorse Cited as Motive
Investigating officer Inspector A T Patel revealed that the convict had been grappling with overwhelming guilt and emotional distress since committing the horrific crime. "He expressed deep remorse over killing his son while intoxicated," the inspector said. Patel had reportedly confided in some relatives and close friends that he could not bear the social stigma and the weight of his actions, expressing a desire to end his life.
The case underscores a grim aftermath where the perpetrator, already facing legal punishment, succumbed to the psychological consequences of his own deed. The Tharad police are continuing their investigation into the suicide.
