Naxalite Case Accused Dies by Suicide in Palamu’s Kundri Forest

Elderly man found hanging in Kundri forest, police suspect stress over surrender.

Key Points:

• 70-year-old accused found dead in Kundri forest, Palamu.
• Victim linked to a 1997 Naxalite murder case, faced court surrender.
• Police recover torch, rope, and ladder; probe underway.

MEDININAGAR – A 70-year-old man accused in a 1997 Naxalite-related murder was found hanging in Kundri forest, Palamu.

Police identified the deceased as Dharmapal Mehta of Shahad village. His body was discovered on Wednesday afternoon, hanging from a banyan tree. Villagers alerted police after women collecting firewood saw the body.

Police retrieved the body, along with a rope, a torch, and a ladder, from the site. The deceased was one of five accused in a 1997 murder linked to Naxalite violence in Oria village. Convicted initially for 20 years, the sentences were reduced to 10 years due to their age. All accused, including Mehta, were ordered to surrender in court on December 4.

Investigation Underway

According to the police, Mehta went missing from his home on Tuesday night. Stress over returning to jail at his advanced age might have contributed to his death. Villagers revealed he had been visibly distressed for days.

Inspector Raju Kumar Gupta stated, “We are exploring all angles to ascertain the exact reasons behind the suicide.” The body was sent for autopsy to Medinirai Medical College Hospital.

This tragic incident highlights the enduring psychological impact of prolonged legal and societal challenges.