Suicide or just bad eyesight?

Cops debate if constable jumped into river or slipped owing to poor eyesight

Au00a0police constable attached to the Shivajinagar police station allegedly committed suicide by jumping into the Mutha river at Siddheshwar ghat near Bhide bridge last evening. The police are now investigating whether work-related stress was the reason behind the constable's suspected suicide.

"The constable has been identified as Vishnu Bhivaji Parkhe, who was posted in the verification division of the Shivajinagar police station," said Police Inspector D D Pawar. "We are investigating whether he was under any kind of stress."

But Police Inspector D. H. Basavnathe of the verification division said Parkhe was not under any kind of stress.
"Parkhe had eyesight problems and he could have slipped in the slippery conditions and fallen into the waters," said Basavnathe.

Fire brigade officials said Parkhe jumped into the river around 6.25 pm, which is the time people at the ghat saw him struggling in the water. Some people immediately called the fire brigade and the Deccan police station.

Parkhe's mother and sister have been informed about the incident.

Harshal Bhagwat, a businessman who was practising the dhol-tasha at the ghats, noticed Parkhe moments after he had dived in the water.

"Parkhe had left behind his goggle and bag. Initially, I thought some ragpicker child had fallen into the water and so, I along with my four friends, immediately rushed to the spot," said Bhagwat. "We then called the police and fire brigade."

Firemen Santosh Joshi and Sudam Dhamale tried to fish out Parkhe's body and carried out a thorough search in the chest-deep water, at first from Siddheshar ghat to Natraj ghat, and then even further.