Mid-Day

“I am responsible for my death. I am taking my daughter along, as I don’t want her to suffer. Please do not hold my husband or in-laws responsible for my death.”

These were the contents of a note left behind by 28-year-old Kritika Patel who yesterday afternoon jumped off the 18th floor of a high-rise at Kandivali (West) cradling her two-year-old daughter. Police said Kritika mentioned in the note that she was taking the drastic step, as she was unable to keep her family happy.

According to Kandivali police, Kritika lived with her husband, Kaushal (30), an employee with a construction contractor, her daughter Jaini (2), and her in-laws at Roopnagar on SV Road. Recently, after the building went under redevelopment, the family shifted to another flat in Shankar galli nearby. The family was to be allotted an apartment on the 18th floor of the Roopnagar building.

Police said that around 2.30 pm yesterday, Kritika went to the SV road apartment after picking Jaini up from her playschool. The watchman did not question her as she said she had come to check on the progress of the flat’s construction. After going to her 18th floor residence, Kritika kept her handbag aside and also took off the toddler’s schoolbag. She then jumped off the balcony with the child in her arms and fell on the elevated loft around the fifth floor.

Labourers working in the building rushed to the spot after hearing a crashing sound and the police were informed.

“After Kritika’s handbag was scanned, we found the handwritten suicide note in Gujarati,” said senior inspector H Pimple from Kandivali police station.