Navi Mumbai: Did teen commit suicide as dad was denied half-day?

The father of a 19-year-old alleges that his senior in the agriculture department did not allow him to go home early. The state has ordered a probe into the matter

Did the son of a government employee commit suicide because his father couldn’t manage to convince his boss for a half-day leave? At least, the father alleges so. Nineteen-year-old Avdhut Ghadge of Kopar Khairane killed himself on August 11.

Nearly a week after his death, his father Rajesh Ghadge, who is employed with the agriculture department of the Maharashtra government, alleged that on the day of the tragic incident his son had given him a call, while he was at work. Avdhut allegedly threatened his father to reach home quickly, or else he would commit suicide.

However, when Ghadge asked his senior Bhawan Sahay, an IAS officer, if he could leave for home early that day, he was denied the request. While on his way back home that same evening, Ghadge was informed about his son’s death.

The issue has now reached agriculture minister Pandurang Phundkar. Phundkar says that he has already spoken to Sahay and Ghadge, and has asked the chief secretary to carry out an inquiry in the matter.

“Ghadge has alleged that he requested for a half-day leave, but wasn’t allowed to go home. Sahay has also put his side. Statements of the both will be recorded soon. I have asked the chief secretary to conduct an inquiry in this matter,” said Phundkar.

The minister further claimed that while he has asked his department’s seniors to ensure that discipline is maintained at all times, he has also told them to be considerate towards others’ problems. “Discipline is necessary, but if a staff has an issue they should be considerate too,” said Phundkar.

Satish Gaikwad, senior police inspector of Kopar Khairane police station, confirmed that Avdhut had commited suicide. “We have registered an accidental death report in this case. No one from the state government has asked us for any report on this case,” Gaikwad said.

Repeated attempts to contact Ghadge and Sahay availed no response. Chief secretary Sawdhin Kshatriya also didn’t reply to messages.

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