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Journalist found dead in mysterious circumstances in Jharkhand’s Palamu
Police suspect the man committed suicide. However, no suicide note was recovered from the spot.
A Palamu-based journalist was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a small hall of a community health centre (CHC) in the town’s Bishrampur area, around 200 km northwest of Ranchi. Police suspect the man committed suicide.
Rameshwar Kesri, 44, was found hanging from the ceiling with his knees half bent resting on a table on Wednesday afternoon, said CHC in-charge Rajendra Prasad, who first noticed the body and called the police.
Kesri was working with a local vernacular daily and also engaged with the health department as block trainer team (BTT) to impart training to Shahiyas (in-charge of Aganwadi centres) and other health staffers at block level.
“Police sent the body for autopsy which was done on Thursday at Sadar Hospital, Daltongunj,” said Palamu superintendent of police Indrajeet Mahatha.
He added, “Investigation is on and dog squads, forensic experts were roped in to collect every bit of evidence. Prima facie, it appears a case of suicide as liquid discharge from private parts was found in the body, which generally happens in suicidal deaths caused due to asphyxia. However, exact reason of death could only be ascertained after the postmortem report comes.”
“The incident took place between 2-3 pm. We have recovered pieces of broken bangles, a ring, a handkerchief embossed with the letter M, pieces of a blouse and two apples from the spot but no suicide note,” said a police official of Bishrampur police station, who is not authorized to speak to media.
“The incident took place during the day when doctors and staffs were on duty at the CHC. There were few patients also but no one heard any sound of screaming, which generally happens in cases of murder or simple physical assault.”
Sources said that as per the information collected so far, the deceased had an affair with a woman colleague, who might have been present at the spot before the man allegedly committed suicide.
Palamu’s civil surgeon (in-charge) Dr RK Ranjan said, “We reported the matter to the police soon after CHC staffs noticed the hanging body. On inquiry, it was found that the CCTVs installed at the centre were not functioning due to power cut in the area on Wednesday.”
The local journalist association has demanded a thorough probe into the matter. The association also sought a government job and compensation for the deceased’s family.
