You are here: Home > Mumbai > Did last call spur suicide?

Father of 27-yr-old who hanged self feels her fiance could have driven her to end life; in the case of 48-yr-old murdered BARC scientist, police claim to have vital clues

BEREAVED DAD: Subrata Pal, father of deceased BARC scientist Titas has told the police to interrogate Dr Supratim Chanda if needed. FILE PICS

Investigations into the deaths of the two scientists of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre continue to remain inconclusive.

Was she insulted?

On March 4, Titas Pal (27) allegedly hanged herself at her quarters in Anushakti Nagar. A few days earlier, Pal had celebrated her birthday with her family in Kolkata when her parents had announced her impending marriage to her dentist boyfriend.

Even as the Trombay police are clueless about what spurred Pal to end her life, her father Subrata (67), in told MiD DAY from Kolkata that he suspected his would-be son-in-law, Dr Supratim Chanda, to be responsible for driving his daughter to suicide.

"Our daughter's cellphone records show that she had last spoken to Dr Chanda and we suspect he insulted her due to which she decided to end her life," Pal alleged, adding that Titas was extremely sensitive by nature.

"They [the Chandas] initially pretended to be in a state of shock, when they visited us on the day of the funeral. We have not received a single call from them after that," Subrata said to buttress his claim. "Their cellphones were switched off and I suspect the doctor."

Titas Pal

"My daughter had no issues with her superiors at BARC; she was very happy. On the day of the suicide, she was unwell and had left office earlier than usual. Dr Chanda telephoned her after that," he added.

Pal has requested the cops to probe the matter thoroughly and, if need be, interrogate Dr Chanda.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Trombay division) Jalandar Khandagle said, "We are yet to record Dr Chanda's statement. Allegations levelled by the father of the deceased can be corroborated only after that."

He said a police team may be despatched to Kolkata to record Dr Chanda's statement.

"Though it is a clear case of suicide, we are keen to know the reason behind the death," Khandagle added. 
 
Close to solution?

On February 22, Mahadevan Iyer (48) was found dead in his Breach Candy apartment with a gash on his throat. Alcohol bottles, a pack of condoms and pornographic material were found in the house of Iyer, who the police suspected was a homosexual.

While the local police and crime branch officials have interrogated a few suspects, neither has made any headway into the murder case.

"We have come across some vital leads and are working on them," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria. "We will nab the accused soon."