UP forest guard ends life in Hamirpur; note cites corruption pressure

JHANSI: A forest guard posted with the forest corporation in Hamirpur district allegedly died by suicide after consuming a poisonous substance during duty, reportedly distressed over pressure to engage in corruption.The deceased, identified as Chandrashekhar Singh, a resident of Itaraur Bhishampur village under Kotwali area of Chitrakoot district, was posted as a forest guard (scaler) at a forest depot in Dhanauri, Rath area of Hamirpur district. According to reports, he consumed poisonous substances while on duty and was initially admitted to the community health centre (CHC) in Rath. Due to his critical condition, doctors referred him to a hospital in Orai. He was later referred to Kanpur where he died during treatment late on Wednesday.Before his death, Chandrashekhar reportedly wrote a two-page suicide note addressed to the Hamirpur superintendent of police, levelling serious allegations against officials and employees of the forest corporation. The note was found near his body. In the note, he accused several officials in Hamirpur and Jhansi office of forcing him to participate in illegal activities.He alleged that govt timber was being secretly sold from the depot and that the proceeds were being misappropriated by those involved. The note further claimed that he was being pressured to pay Rs2.65 lakh from the alleged illegal sale of wood that had arrived at the depot a few days earlier. When he refused, he was allegedly harassed and threatened with suspension.The deceased also mentioned that his medical leave, taken for eye treatment, had been rejected, after which the pressure intensified. He claimed he had been opposing the illegal sale of timber, which led to continuous mental harassment and ultimately drove him to take the extreme step.Following his death, the body was brought to Chitrakoot by family members, who found the suicide note in his pocket. They demanded registration of a case against the accused officials and called the police. The police took custody of the body and sent it for a post-mortem examination.Family members said that Chandrashekhar had visited home a few days earlier and had spoken about being harassed by his department, which had left him mentally distressed. They also alleged that they were not informed in time about his condition and only came to know when he was shifted to Orai, by when he had already passed away.Superintendent of police Arun Kumar Singh said that the deceased was posted in Hamirpur and the incident also took place there. “The body has been brought here by the family and is being sent for post-mortem examination. A suicide note has been found, in which allegations have been made against departmental officials. After the post-mortem report, all relevant details will be shared with Hamirpur police for further action,” he said.