Chief Conservator of Forests jumps to death

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 9

Haryana Chief Conservator of Forests Ajay Kadian (51) was found dead at Bella Vista here this evening. Preliminary investigation has pointed towards a suicide and the local police have initiated inquest proceedings in the matter.

The exact cause behind the incident is not known, but the officer was depressed. “The senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer jumped to death from the sixth floor of the hotel building. It appears to be a suicide case. We are probing the matter,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mukesh Malhotra.     

The incident occurred around 5 pm when the 1987-batch IFS officer was seen near the swimming pool on the sixth floor of the hotel. He reportedly jumped from the hotel and suffered severe injuries on his head. He was first seen lying on the floor by guards and a manager of the hotel.

The police were informed following which Kadian was shifted to the Civil Hospital, Sector 6, where he was declared brought dead. Hearing the news of his death, the top brass of the district police, including RC Mishra, Commissioner of Police, Ambala-Panchkula, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anil Dhawan rushed to the spot.

Later, senior officers of various departments of Haryana also reached the hospital. The police said they were checking the CCTV footage of the hotel to see how he reached the top floor or whether he had come for swimming. No suicide note has been found from the spot.

The police said his family was not in a position to give a statement. The deceased’s wife, Anita Kadian, is posted in the state Forensic Science Laboratory in Madhuban, Karnal. His daughter is doing law while his son has completed engineering. Kadian, who was posted in the Forest Department, Panchkula, was putting up at Sector 6 with his family.