Basti police officer Surya Prakash Singh found hanging at government residence; probe underway

A station officer posted at Walterganj police station in Uttar Pradesh's Basti district was found hanging at his government residence on Saturday, police said.

The officer, identified as 57-year-old Surya Prakash Singh, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room. His government accommodation is located near the Collectorate complex in the Kotwali police station area.

Basti range DIG Sanjeev Tyagi said Singh had reached the residence with his colleagues around 1 pm. The staff accompanying him stayed at the Civil Lines police outpost. One of his colleagues went to Singh's room later in the evening and found him hanging from the ceiling fan, the DIG said.

Police and a forensic team reached the spot and examined the room. No suicide note was found, Tyagi said. Prima facie, the incident appears to be a case of suicide, the DIG said. Further investigation is underway. 

Senior police officers, including DIG Sanjeev Tyagi, SP Yashveer Singh, the ASP and the circle officer, also reached the spot after being informed about the incident.

Singh's body was sent for a post-mortem examination, police said. According to police sources, Singh's last WhatsApp status before his death read: "Wealth is essential, but not more important than peace and love."

Singh was originally from Azamgarh district. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. He joined the police force as a head constable in 1991. He was promoted to sub-inspector in 2014-15.

Police said further investigation into the incident is underway.  (with inputs from PTI)