Workplace harassment led to suicide: Driver’s wife

Sanjay Kumar, an HRTC driver stationed at the Dharmpur depot in Mandi district, died a few days ago after reportedly consuming a poisonous substance at his home. His wife Pushpa Devi has filed a FIR yesterday, accusing her husband’s death to be the result of harassment and emotional distress allegedly caused by his superiors at the HRTC.

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According to Pushpa Devi’s statement, Sanjay, who had been working at the Dharmpur depot for several months, was visibly disturbed on January 10, 2025. She mentioned that her husband seemed intoxicated and his condition worsened the following day. At around 4.30 pm on January 11, Sanjay began vomiting and told his wife that he had ingested a toxic substance. He was rushed to the hospital, but later referred to the Medical College at Nerchowk for further treatment. However, his condition deteriorated and he passed away around 11 pm.

Pushpa Devi claims that her husband had been under significant stress due to the alleged mental and emotional abuse by HRTC’s Regional Manager Vinod Kumar. Sanjay reportedly shared with his sister that he had been threatened with being sent home and had been subjected to continuous harassment.

She further mentioned that Sanjay had previously been posted at the Rampur depot, where he was falsely accused of driving under the influence of intoxicants. Though he was cleared of the charges, he was transferred to Dharmpur, where the alleged mistreatment continued.

The complaint also states that Sanjay’s salary was deducted, leaving him financially strained and unable to support his wife and three children. Pushpa Devi alleged that her husband’s death was a direct consequence of the emotional torment he endured at his workplace. She provided a mobile phone recording of Sanjay’s final conversation, in which he reportedly expressed his distress.

On her complaint, the Aut police have registered an FIR under Section 108 of the BNS and investigation is underway.