Airline employee hangs self at Santacruz home

A 32-year-old aircraft maintenance engineer working with what was formerly known as Indian Airlines was found hanging in his quarters at Kalina, Santacruz (East), on Monday.

A 32-year-old aircraft maintenance engineer working with what was formerly known as Indian Airlines was found hanging in his quarters at Kalina, Santacruz (East), on Monday.

HT Image

Hritik Bhattacharya was working with the airline for the past three years and lived with his wife, Sejwati, and six-month-old daughter in the Indian Airlines Residents’ Colony.

The police said on Monday morning, Sejwati had gone to the Bandra Court to make an affidavit. The couple’s domestic help was with her. She returned home a little after noon she and found Bhattacharya hanging from the ceiling fan.

Bhattacharya had recently been posted to Goa and came to Mumbai two days ago to take his family along. His parents live in Kolkata.

“He has left a suicide note saying nobody should be held responsible for his death. We do not suspect any foul play,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (Vakola division) Arvind Mahabadi, said.

Bhattacharya’s colleagues, who did not wish to be identified, alleged that he was among the airline’s employees, who had gone on strike a month ago and was being “punished” for it.

“Everyone who had participated in the agitation has been suffering the same fate. Many of us have not received last month’s salaries.”

An Air India spokesperson said, “We treat all our employees equally and it would be wrong to jump to conclusions. The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. We do not want to comment further.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 8) SN Choudhary said the reason for Bhattacharya’s suicide is yet to be ascertained. “We will be conducting a detailed investigation,” Choudhary said.