Post News Network
Bargarh, Jan 2: A debt-ridden farmer allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide in Khedapali village on the outskirts of the town Friday. The deceased was identified as Bhagirathi Pradhan (35).
The family members of the deceased alleged that he ended his life as he was disturbed over loan burden. On the basis of the complaint, police registered a case of unnatural death at Town police station. Pradhan’s body was handed over to the bereaved family after
post-mortem at the district headquarters hospital, police said.
Villagers said Bhagirathi was a marginal farmer and owned two acres of land. He had grown vegetables on five acres of land, including his own two acres, after taking loans from several persons in the village.
“Bhagirathi had taken Rs 18,000 from a pesticide shop owner, Rs 7,000 from a tailor and Rs 18,000 from a person in the village,” said his brother Niranjan. He was under duress over repay of outstanding money, Niranjan added. He further said that Bhagirathi went on a picnic Thursday along with his friends to celebrate New Year and looked tense after returning home. Bhagarathi told family members that he had consumed pesticides. Later, Bhagirathi was taken to the district headquarters hospital where doctors declared him dead.
On being informed, police reached the hospital and started an investigation. Town police station inspector in-charge (IIC) Prakash Chandra Pal said preliminary investigation suggests his death due to consumption of pesticides. However, the reason for which he consumed poison is under investigation, Pal added.