Former-IPS officer commits suicide, blames Mamata Banerjee in suicide note
A retired IPS officer Gaurav Dutt committed suicide earlier this week and blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in his note. Dutt, a 1986-batch IPS officer, died on February 19 and initial probe hinted he took his own life. In his explosive suicide note, Dutt revealed Banerjee's behavior towards him forced him to take the adverse step. Here's what went down.
Dutt committed suicide when his wife wasn't at home
Reportedly, Dutt slit his wrist on Tuesday evening when his wife Sreyanshi had stepped out with their dog. When she returned home, Sreyanshi found Dutt was bleeding profusely. He was rushed to AMRI Hospital in Salt Lake where he passed away. Dutt was the son of 1939 batch IPS officer Gopal Dutt who was conferred the Padma Shri in 1975.
CM is responsible for my action: Dutt
The police confirmed on Wednesday Dutt committed suicide without divulging details on the possible motive. However, the suicide note, which Sreyanshi confirmed his husband had written, has shown Dutt had several grievances. "CM (Banerjee) is directly responsible for my action in the form of abetment," read the note. A devastated Sreyanshi said, "Everything is over... The government has taken my husband's life."
Dutt alleged he was victimized for ten years
Reportedly, Dutt was sent on compulsory leave in 2010 after being accused of sexually harassing a male constable. "Present CM WB has victimized me for 10 years and went all out to demoralize me due to her single-minded vendetta against me for reasons best known to her," Dutt wrote in the letter. He alleged the state government blocked his pension.
"Government will be bound to release my pension"
"So, now, after taking the extreme step, the government will be bound to release my saving thus our family can survive with dignity. That amount that they have blocked just to teach an officer a lesson even after retirement," the letter added.
Banerjee has her favorite officers, Dutt wrote in letter
Dutt also alleged that Banerjee had her own "favorite officers". He said the "hellish environment" created by Banerjee doesn't seem to end. He claimed the IPS fraternity didn't support him either. "The IPS fraternity is such that if the government detests you at a personal level, then all officers toe government line and will treat you like a pariah street dog," the letter added.
Banerjee has a strong inhuman quality: Dutt
The retired officer went on to write he couldn't explain it to his family why one IPS officer was being targeted. "She (Mamata Banerjee) has a strong inhuman quality to use and discard IPS officers. If one can't live with honor it's better to die with honor," wrote Dutt. He "hoped" his action would highlight the genuine problems faced by officers in the state.
Meanwhile, BJP called for CBI investigation in death
Dutt's demise took a political turn when BJP demanded a CBI investigation into the death, terming it "unnatural". "In his suicide letter, he has written that he was forced to take his life...This proves that IPS officers and other police officers are working under pressure. We want a CBI probe into this," said Dilip Ghosh, the chief of BJP in the state.
