Indian Finance Officer Ends Life due to ‘marital discord’

A police investigation is underway after an Indian finance officer took his own life, reportedly due to marital discord.

The 35-year-old, who was a newly-recruited OFS (Odisha Finance Service) officer, was found at his home in Khandagiri on June 28, 2020.

The deceased was identified as Abhilash Swaroop Mahapatra. He lived with his wife and two children.

Abhilash was set to join the special treasury on June 29. Police said that it would have been his first day in service under Odisha government’s finance department.

According to officers, he had locked himself in a room of his house following a quarrel.

His wife knocked on the door but there was no answer. She called the neighbours who managed to make their way into the room.

They discovered Abhilash hanging from the ceiling. He was rushed to hospital but doctors pronounced him dead.

The police were called and an investigation was underway. Preliminary enquiries have revealed that Abhilash took his own life due to disputes within his marriage.

DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo said: “We did not find any foul play behind his death. He hanged himself to death. The exact motive of his suicide is being investigated.

“But, prima facie we suspect he ended his life out of frustration over marital discord.”

The Indian finance officer’s body was sent for a post-mortem before being handed over to his family.

DCP Sahoo revealed that officers had been speaking to a family who had rented the ground floor of the house.

He said: “We also questioned the officer’s maid and wife. They said he was in deep stress over a family matter. They did not disclose much.

“We have registered a case of unnatural death and are inquiring into the matter.”

Abhilash was a former banker and had a bright career in finance and economy.

One police officer said: “His family members told us that he was a brilliant student. He used to work with a nationalised bank and cracked Odisha civil services in 2017.

“After training and probation, he was scheduled to join the office of the special treasury here on Monday.”

Those who graduated with Abhilash heard about his sudden death and are shocked. One said:

“I still cannot believe Abhilash left us. Until recently, we had discussed about Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide, stress and frustration.

“We never felt nor realised Abhilash was in stress. Police should probe and arrest those who might have abetted his suicide.”