Police in Morbi have initiated a serious investigation following the tragic death of a local businessman, registering a case of abetment of suicide against three individuals. The incident underscores the severe consequences of financial harassment and mental stress.
A Tragic Sequence of Events
Vipul Vidja, a 38-year-old paan shop owner from Morbi, consumed poison on December 14 in a desperate act. He was immediately rushed to Rajkot Civil Hospital, where he fought for his life in critical condition for nearly two weeks. Despite medical efforts, Vidja succumbed to his injuries on December 26, leaving his family devastated.
Following his death, his brother-in-law, Harshad Lakhiya (49), approached the Morbi City B Division police with a formal complaint. Based on his statement, the police have booked three persons—Ashish Padaliya, Hitesh Desadia, and Kamlesh alias Mahesh Mandaviya—under sections 108 and 351 of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for abetment to suicide.
The Core of the Financial Dispute
The complaint reveals a complex financial entanglement at the heart of this tragedy. According to Lakhiya, he had lent a substantial sum of approximately Rs 1.26 crore to the accused, Ashish Padaliya. This money was intended for a solar panel business venture.
The transactions were not informal; payments were systematically made via Google Pay and bank transfers. To secure the loan, a notarised agreement was executed, and security cheques were also issued as part of the formal deal.
In a separate but related transaction, the deceased, Vipul Vidja, had personally given Rs 6 lakh in cash to another accused, Kamlesh Mandaviya, for the purpose of purchasing a house. This amount was allegedly never returned to Vidja.
Alleged Harassment and Threats
The situation escalated when Vipul Vidja began demanding the repayment of the massive loan on behalf of his brother-in-law, Harshad Lakhiya. The complaint states that instead of addressing the repayment, the accused responded with threats.
Vidja was allegedly warned that no money would be returned and was told to stop interfering in the financial matter. In a move that amplified the pressure, the accused reportedly filed a police complaint against both Vidja and Lakhiya. This legal counteraction, combined with the persistent demands for repayment, created an atmosphere of intense fear and mental anguish for Vidja.
Police officials indicated that it was this cycle of repeated harassment and threats over the unpaid debt that allegedly drove Vipul Vidja to take the extreme step of ending his life. The case is now a stark reminder of the potential human cost of financial disputes and coercion.
