Tragic Suicide in Purnia Linked to SC/ST Act Case Fear
In a distressing incident from Bihar, an 18-year-old youth allegedly died by suicide in Purnia district on Friday. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Yaqib, was reportedly under severe mental stress due to fear of arrest in a case registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act. The incident occurred in the Gulabbagh Zero Mile area under the jurisdiction of the Sadar police station.
Background of the Case
According to the deceased's brother, Mohammad Akbar, the trouble began a day before Holi when Yaqib was returning home from Gulabbagh Zero Mile. He got into an altercation with some individuals on the way, which quickly escalated as people from both sides gathered at the spot. The dispute turned violent, resulting in injuries to several people.
Following this incident, the opposing side submitted an application at Sadar police station on March 9. Based on this application and an accompanying injury report, a case was registered under the SC/ST Act against approximately 10 people, including Yaqib.
Mental Distress and Allegations
Akbar revealed that ever since the case was registered, Yaqib had been under immense stress and fear. "He was constantly haunted by the fear of arrest and going to jail," Akbar stated. The opposing side was allegedly demanding Rs 2.5 lakh to withdraw the case, which further exacerbated his mental distress. Under this pressure, Yaqib tragically took his own life by hanging himself.
Police Response and Investigation
Upon receiving information about the incident, Sadar sub-divisional police officer-1 Jyoti Shankar and Sadar station house officer Ajay Kumar arrived at the scene with a substantial police force. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) collected crucial evidence from the location. The body was subsequently sent for post-mortem examination at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Purnia.
Station House Officer Ajay Kumar confirmed that the case was registered based on the application and injury report submitted by the other party. "In the preliminary investigation, it appears the youth was under mental pressure due to fear of arrest and going to jail," Kumar said. However, he emphasized that police are investigating the case from all possible angles to ensure a thorough examination of the circumstances.
Ongoing Inquiry
The police are continuing their investigation into both the original scuffle and the subsequent suicide. The case highlights the severe psychological impact that legal proceedings, particularly under stringent acts like the SC/ST Act, can have on individuals, especially youth. Authorities are working to piece together the events leading to this tragic outcome while addressing the allegations made by the deceased's family regarding the demand for money to withdraw the case.
