A 32-year-old researcher, working at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), was found dead at her official accommodation within the campus on Thursday.
A 32-year-old researcher, working at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), was found dead at her official accommodation within the campus on Thursday.
A suicide note was found in the deceased’s room by the police. The scientist, identified as Puja Rai, had written in the note that “she had lived her life enough.” Rai, a resident of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh, had shifted to Gurgaon after her marriage with Amit Sharma, a businessman, in November last year.
Rai, who had been working at the IARI since last year, was found hanging from the ceiling fan. Her brother arrived at her apartment along with their mother at 9.30 am. They repeatedly called on her mobile phone and knocked at the door, they got no response. They reported the issue to the IARI authorities and the institute authorities then entered her apartment by breaking the main door.
Her body was found hanging from the ceiling fan, and the IARI authorities immediately called the police at Pusa Road, where the institute is located. A PCR van reached the spot and her body was brought down. Rai was taken to hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. The police team found a suicide note from the spot, in which the scientist had written that she “had lived her life enough.” Her husband was out on work at the time of the incident.
The cops probing the suicide case have not yet ruled out any foul play in the death of Rai. Her body was sent to a civil hospital where a post-mortem will be conducted, initially to ascertain the exact cause of death. The police is also investigating her mobile phone for further clues.
Among researchers at IARI, Rai was known as a genius and a hardworking person who was very focused on her career. According to reports, the deceased was depressed for last couple of days, but the exact cause for her depression is not known yet. A year ago, Rai got accommodation in the IARI staff quarters, where she was found dead on Thursday.
The cops at Pusa Road police station are also questioning Rai’s friends and her research guide. The police is also waiting to record the statements of Rai’s family members, especially her mother and father who live in Delhi. The case is under investigation, said a senior police officer.
