Businessman jumps off 21-storey building terrace

A 53-year-old businessman committed suicide by jumping off the terrace of a 21-storey building in Versova yesterday.

Businessman jumps off 21-storey building terrace

Vile Parle resident Deepak Ruia used to frequent Amarnath Towers to meet his customer Shailesh, who lives on the 13th floor. Yesterday he entered the building from the back gate and proceeded to the roof, from where he leapt to his death.u00a0

Tragic end: Vile Parle resident Deepak Ruia, who frequented Amarnath Towers in Versova to meet his customer Shailesh, who lives on the 13th floor, jumped off the terrace of the building yesterday

The police registered a case of accidental death after they found a note in his pocket stating that nobody was to be blamed for his death. Most suicide cases are first registered as accidental death cases.

According to the police, watchmen stationed at Amarnath Tower informed the control room of the incident at 11 am. Security guards told the police that since Ruia, a printing press paper dealer, frequented Shailesh’s flat on a regular basis, they were acquainted with him. “There are four gates from where you can enter the building. They (watchmen) did not spot Ruia entering the building, as he came in from the back gate. Hence, the CCTV cameras installed at the main gate also failed to capture him,” said Sharad Borse, senior police inspector at Versova police station.

The police said that after initial investigations it was ascertained that Ruia did not visit Shailesh’s flat and instead proceeded to the terrace and committed suicide. “Shailesh told us that he was in the office at the time of the incident. Shailesh’s wife also said that Ruia had not visited their apartment on Tuesday,” said an investigating officer.

After the incident, Ruia’s wife told police officers that her husband had to collect dues from various people. She further said that Ruia was upset since the past few days as many of his customers’ cheques had bounced, but she had no inkling that he would take such a step.

The police are yet to record the wife’s statement as she was in a state of shock. “Ruia’s wife, son and other family members are in a state of shock. We will record their statements when they are in a position to talk to us,” said a police officer. The police are investigating whether Ruia took the extreme step due to a business dispute. u00a0

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