In a shocking incident, a 52-year-old man committed suicide inside the lock-up of Shakarpur Police Station in East Delhi on Tuesday night. The family of the deceased suspects foul play in the police theory that he committed suicide by using the cord of his underwear. The area Sub-Division Magistrate (SDM) is conducting an enquiry into this matter. Sushil Gehlot, an auto driver, was the resident of 272-School Block in Shakarpur area. According to police, his body was spotted by a constable (santri) deputed outside the lock-up around 10.30 pm. He had gone to arrange the food for him. “He committed suicide by hanging himself with his underwear string (nada) from the rod of lock-up’s gate,” said a police officer. The constable informed his senior officers and his body was taken to lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for post-mortem examination. Gehlot is survived by his mother, wife, three daughters and two sons.
Police said, Gehlot, was an alcoholic and used to beat his wife. He even used to thrash his 70-year-old mother for her refusal to give him money for his drinks. “On Tuesday around 2 pm, a call was made by his wife informing that her husband was beating her. A PCR van, immediately swung into action and was rushed to the spot,” said the officer, adding “Gehlot was heavily drunk and was beating his wife.” On the basis of his wife’s complaint, he was taken to the police station and a case under section 107/51 of CrPC was lodged against him and he was put in the lock-up.
Sources said that when he was in the lock-up, he suddenly turned violent and started hitting and hurting himself. Policemen present in the police station, somehow managed to control him. A police constable was also sent to his home to inform about his activity to his family members. One of his relatives, Vijay told The Pioneer: “By the time we reached police station he was already taken to the hospital and later, we were informed that he committed suicide by hanging,” He also said that around 9 pm, his son gave food to him in police station. “He was fine by then,” he added.
“Police are making a story. Something wrong has happened with him. He cannot commit suicide,” he said. Another relative said that police did not allow them to see Gehlot’s body. Despite repeated attempts, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar did not respond. A senior officer said judicial enquiry has been marked into the case. Joint Commissioner of Police of Eastern range Sanjay Baniwal said, “Post-mortem has been conducted by a penal of doctors. Magistrate is inquiring the case and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also been informed about the matter”.