The second case of suicide by helium gas in the country is in Himachal.
➤ Former Navy soldier committed suicide by helium gas in car in Ghumarwin
➤ Family dispute and bank work pressure revealed in four-page suicide note.
Bilaspur
The death of former Navy soldier and State Bank of India cashier Vipan Thakur (47) in Ballu area of Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh has shaken the entire state. His body was found in his car on Thursday night under mysterious circumstances. He had an oxygen mask attached to the helium gas cylinder on his mouth, which was wrapped in a polythene envelope and cello tape. The regulator of the cylinder was open inside the car and the pipe was in his mouth. In the initial investigation, it is believed that he used helium gas for an easy death. This could be the first case in the state and the second in the country, because a few days ago, a chartered accountant from Haryana had also committed suicide in a similar way.
The police have found a four-page suicide note from the spot, in which Vipan has mentioned his wife’s behavior with the children, dispute with his father, and pressure of bank work. In the note, he wrote, “I am leaving, don’t worry about me, no one is responsible for my death.” Describing himself as honest, he also included workplace stress among the reasons.
According to the information, Vipan had gone to duty in the morning and called his wife in the evening to tell her that he would be coming home. His phone was found switched off late at night. During the search, his car was found parked on the side of the highway in Ballu. As soon as the door was opened, people were stunned to see the scene inside.
The family has demanded that the truth of the death should come out and the source of the helium gas cylinder should be traced. Locals are also surprised why a financially and family-friendly person took such an extreme step. The police have sent all the items recovered from the car for forensic examination and call details, mobile data, CCTV footage are being thoroughly investigated. The post-mortem will be conducted at AIIMS Bilaspur in the presence of forensic experts.
The police are considering this case as a suicide, but investigation is going on on all aspects including murder. This incident has raised serious questions on issues like mental health and workplace pressure in the state.
