Pune: In a distressing incident that underscores the dire consequences of financial desperation and mental anguish, a 26-year-old man, Ramvikas Jaising Chauhan, tragically took his own life after being pressured by a contractor to repay money lost due to a friend's betrayal.
The incident occurred on September 30 at around 2 PM in the Bholkarwasti area of Karvenagar.
Ramvikas, originally from Radhia in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, had relocated to Pune to work in the painting business.
He was among a group of workers employed by Satyendra Rajpati Chauhan, a 36-year-old contractor from Deshmukhwadi. According to reports, Ramvikas was working alongside a friend from his village who, after borrowing ₹25,000 from Satyendra, fled without returning the money.
Following the friend's disappearance, Satyendra demanded that Ramvikas reimburse the amount, stating that he held him responsible for the situation.
This demand escalated into physical violence, with Satyendra allegedly threatening to break Ramvikas's limbs if he failed to pay the debt.
In a further act of intimidation, he confined Ramvikas in a room by locking the door from the outside, subjecting him to both physical and mental harassment.
In a moment of despair, Ramvikas called his mother on the day of the incident to request financial assistance.
However, his mother expressed her inability to provide the required funds. Feeling hopeless and trapped, Ramvikas resorted to self-harm, using a kitchen knife to stab himself in the neck and abdomen. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The police have initiated an investigation into the incident. Arnav Jawahir Chauhan, a 22-year-old friend of Ramvikas, has lodged a complaint against Satyendra at the Warje Malwadi Police Station.
Following the complaint, the police have arrested Satyendra Chauhan on charges of abetting suicide. Police Sub-Inspector Tarde is leading the investigation.
