Unable to pay bill due to mom’s illness, man kills self after electricity connection removed

Meerut: Unable to pay power bill due to his mother’s ailment, a 32-year-old man from UP’s Baghpat district allegedly died by suicide after electricity connection was allegedly removed from his house.According to his family, Mohd Amjad, who was a truck driver, had returned home to Asara village in Ramala area during Eid and stayed back to take care of his mother, Rukhsana.His younger brother, Mohsin, said the house’s electricity supply had been disconnected in 2023 due to outstanding dues. He added that since then, a junior engineer (JE) had arranged a temporary power supply through a cable connected to a nearby pole and had been taking Rs 1,000 every month from the family.“On June 3, he came to our house, disconnected the temporary supply and demanded that the entire outstanding amount be paid right away. When we requested some time, he became aggressive and misbehaved with us in front of neighbours,” Mohsin said, adding that upset by his action, Amjad killed himself. “He was found hanging from a ceiling fan the next morning.”Mohsin further pointed out: “Our mother is an asthma patient and her condition started to worsen after the electricity was disconnected in this hot weather. We spend money for her regular treatment and it has been financially difficult for us... Villagers tried to help us by collecting money to settle the power dues. But it wasn’t enough.”Baghpat SP Suraj Rai said that they received a formal complaint on Monday. Rai added: “Allegations made by the family are being examined and an investigation is underway.”The power department, however, denied any direct link between their action and Amjad’s death. Executive engineer Brijesh Kumar Yadav said the consumer had electricity dues of around Rs 29,000 and that “repeated notices had been issued over the years”.“Exact circumstances behind the suicide will become clear after investigation,” Yadav added.