Uma rao was a retired scientist at BARC and also the head of Indian Women Scientists' Association

Severe depression and prolonged multiple health ailments compelled Dr Uma Rao, 63, a retired scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to end her life in her apartment in Govandi yesterday.

According to the police, Uma lived alone in her flat. Preliminary investigations revealed that she had consumed an overdose of sleeping pills prescribed by doctors to treat her depression.

The matter came to light when Uma's housemaid reached the tenth floor of Runwal Center building, Uma's house, and did not get any response to the repeated knockings or doorbell. Worried, she rushed to her son's residence who also lived in the neighbourhood.

"Uma's son, Anurag used a duplicate key to open the door. As soon as he entered, he found her mother lying on the floor," said Jalinder Khandagale, assistant commissioner of police. "He immediately called for a doctor who declared her dead," he added.

Uma has also left a suicide note stating that depression was the cause of her suicide. "I don't want to live any longer. Nobody is responsible for my extreme step," she said in the note.

While Anurag stays in Mumbai, her other son lives in the United States of America.

Uma was also the President of Indian Women Scientists' Association and used to organise several conferences and seminars. According to her relatives, she had taken voluntary retirement from BARC in 2006 as her health was deteriorating.

She worked in the Food Technology and Cell Biology division of BARC and later served its Media Relations division. Neighbours told the police that Uma did not interact with them much and used to be busy with her own life.