Vasai collector, cops come to the rescue of 35-year-old man who wanted to end his life

Manikpur police speak to Somnath Choudhary. Pics/Hanif Patel

Poor health and penury forced a 35-year-old man to write to the Palghar district collector for permission to take his life. Somnath Choudhary lost his wife, Minakshi, to COVID-19 last year, he is suffering from tuberculosis while his son is unwell and needs surgery. His SOS made the government machinery in the district swing into action and rescue him.

The Palghar district collector first got Choudhary admitted to JJ Hospital and then Sewree TB hospital in Mumbai. After he reached home, he got further help from
Manikpur police.

In his letter, Choudhary had said he would hang himself. "My son's surgery would cost Rs 75,000 but I have no job and above all I, too, am unwell. My son Vishwanath has been kept at an orphanage in Kalyan," Choudhary told mid-day.

Manikpur police near Somnath Choudhary's residence

Before the COVID lockdown, Choudhary was working as a ward boy in a private hospital in Andheri. "I was unable to meet our medical expenses with no source of income. My mental condition reached an untenable position. Someone suggested that I seek help from the collector. So I wrote to him in December 2020," Choudhary said.

"After the collector's office called me to the office, I went to meet him in February. But my health had deteriorated there. So I was immediately treated at JJ Hospital and then referred to TB hospital. I was treated for 50 days there," he said.

Somnath Choudhary will be going to the TB hospital in Sewree next week to complete his treatment

Choudhary resides in a rented house in Manikpur area of Vasai West. A native of Jalgaon, he has been living in Vasai for eight years. "With no job, I am unable to pay the rent and other bills which collectively cost me Rs 3,000," he said.

Police's helping hand

After he reached home, two constables reached out to Choudhary and took him to the police station considering his history of suicidal thoughts. "I was emotionally broken after losing my wife. My son has been kept at an orphanage because I am unable to give him medical treatment. I lost all hope of surviving and wanted to kill myself. But the police saved me," Choudhary said.

Senior Police Inspector Bhausaheb Aher of Manikpur police told mid-day that his office received information about Choudhary needed help. "Two of my constables brought him to the police station to know why he wants to end his life. He cited his helplessness. So, on humanitarian grounds, we arranged a meal for him and gave him nutritious food to help him fight TB," Aher said.

A few local politicians have also come forward to help and have told his landlord to not take rent. Choudhary said, "I feel bad that I am unable to pay the rent but I am helpless. Some people also gave me cash. I am not even able to get a job. Although I am not very healthy, I still want to work. I have requested the collector and police to help my son if anything happens to me. The police have discouraged me from committing suicide," said Choudhary, also thanking the collector and police
for their help.

Next week, Choudhary will be going to the TV hospital in Sewreee to get the remaining course of his treatment.

June
Month in 2020 Choudhary's wife died of COVID