Bengaluru: The family of a 22-year-old student who allegedly ended his life on April 27 has accused his female friend of driving him to suicide with prolonged mental and physical harassment. The family also accused his college teacher (coordinator) of harassment, including debarment due to attendance shortage.The deceased, Mehul Anand, a native of Patna in Bihar, was a fourth-year student at an institute (a deemed university) on Bannerghatta Road. A police officer said Anand made a video call to his female friend, who is his junior at the same institute, and informed her that he was ending his life. She rushed to the spot along with her friends and broke open the door to find him hanging. The noose was untied, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him as brought dead.Following the incident, his female friend also wrote a death note and wanted to end her life. She has been counselled not to take an extreme step and has been served a notice to appear before the investigating officer. A case has been registered under BNS Section 108 (abetment to suicide) against both the female friend and the teacher. Police have sent Anand and his female friend’s mobile phones for data retrieval.Anand’s elder brother, Ranbir Priyadarshi, a software engineer, in his complaint told Hulimavu police that Anand’s female friend informed his sister on the evening of April 27 about Anand’s death. Shocked, Ranbir rushed to Bengaluru along with his parents. Upon checking Mehul’s mobile phone, the family claims to have discovered evidence suggesting he was subjected to continuous harassment over the past two months by his female friend.According to the complaint, the female friend allegedly was involved in frequent altercations with Anand and abused him mentally and physically. The complaint also alleged that Anand’s coordinator also subjected him to harassment, over issues related to academic debarment due to low attendance. The family believes that the combined pressure from both individuals pushed Anand to take the extreme step.BOX:If you are having suicidal thoughts or are in need of emotional support, call suicide prevention helplines: Tele-MANAS helpline: 14416 or 1800-891-4416; SAHAI Helpline: 080-25497777MSID:: 130679938 413 |
