2-term Himachal Congress ex-MLA Mast Ram dies by suicide

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 11

Former Congress MLA Mast Ram (75), who represented Karsog in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh in 1993 and 2003, allegedly died by suicide at a hotel in Sundernagar today. He is survived by his wife and five sons.

Body found in hotel

• Mast Ram elected from Karsog in 1993 and 2003
• Body found hanging at a hotel in Sundernagar
• Suicide note cites personal reasons, financial crisis

A suicide note is learnt to have been found in which the former MLA cited personal reasons for taking the step. The note mentioned financial crisis and that whatever money was in his bank account be handed over to his wife.

The police said Mast Ram reached the hotel on Sunday evening and booked a room for overnight stay. After ordering morning tea, he reportedly bolted the door from inside. When he didn’t respond to repeated knocking on the door till late noon, the hotel management informed the police. The door was forced open and the ex-MLA’s body was found hanging from the ceiling, the police said. Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri said a case had been registered and an investigation was underway.

Born at Nihri village in Mandi, Mast Ram had resigned as government teacher in 1982 to join politics. It is learnt that he was preparing to contest the state Assembly election due later this year.

BJP leader and Mandi MP Ram Swaroop Sharma too had died in a similar manner as his body was found hanging at his New Delhi residence in March last year.

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