‘Harassed’ by woman, Sirsa teacher dies by suicide

Sirsa, July 21

A schoolteacher from Rohiranwali village in Sirsa allegedly died by suicide by consuming pesticide at his house. The police found a suicide note in which the teacher, Mahender Singh, had accused a woman from Khuian Nepalpur village of blackmail, blaming her for his death. Based on the note and Mahender’s wife Mainawati’s statement, the police have filed a case against her.

Mahender (53), a social sciences teacher, took the extreme step when he returned home after dropping his children and wife, who is also a teacher, at her school. When Mainawati returned home, the door was locked and Mahender did not respond.

A neighbour climbed the wall to open the gate and saw Mahender was lying “unconscious”. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

SHO Anil Kumar, DSP Rajiv Kumar and the Scene of Crime team arrived to gather evidence. Mahender had been on deputation from Khuian Nepalpur to Jalalana village school since December 2023 and was presently working at the Sirsa Election Office.

Sandeep, Mahender’s nephew, alleged the incident involved more than just the woman. Sandeep stated that Mahender had repeatedly requested that the school in-charge mediate, but no action was taken. According to Sandeep, there had been village meetings at the school about the issue.

In his suicide note, Mahender accused the woman of blackmailing him for money. He described how she would call and harass him with the intent to extort money. He stated that she deserved punishment in order to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Mahender also alluded to the involvement of others in the harassment.

The police assured the family that they were investigating all angles, including reasons behind the blackmail.