Tragic Suicide of Bhopal Lawyer Following Cyber Blackmail
A 68-year-old lawyer from Bhopal died by suicide on Tuesday evening after allegedly being blackmailed by cyber criminals who threatened to link his name to the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Shivkumar Verma, a resident of Jahangirabad's Barkhedi area, was found hanging at approximately 7:30 PM on November 25, 2025.
The Suicide Note and Blackmail Details
Police officials confirmed they recovered a suicide note in which Verma detailed the extreme mental anguish he experienced after being targeted by digital fraudsters. In the note, the lawyer revealed that cyber criminals had opened a bank account under his name without his knowledge or consent.
This unauthorized bank account subsequently appeared on the official charge sheet related to the Pahalgam terror attack, creating a false connection between the elderly lawyer and the terrorism case. The blackmailers allegedly contacted Verma directly, informing him that his bank account had been used for suspicious activities related to the attack.
Police Response and Public Warning
Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra addressed the media regarding the tragic incident, confirming that the deceased had not filed any formal complaint with police before taking his life. "Someone called him and told him that his bank account had been used for suspicious activities, due to which he apparently got scared and took the extreme step of suicide," Commissioner Mishra stated.
The police chief issued a crucial public alert emphasizing the importance of immediately reporting such incidents to law enforcement. "We keep saying this repeatedly in such cases, immediately inform the police. Fraudsters involved in digital cheating try to make the victim feel that he has committed some grave mistake", Mishra warned the public.
In his final note, Verma also reflected on his earlier life experiences, including his service as a volunteer during the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. Police have confirmed that further legal proceedings are underway in this matter as they investigate the cyber crime network responsible for the blackmail.
