Suicide case: Cong files complaint against Goa CM

Goa Congress today filed a police complaint against state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for allegedly abetting suicide of a suspended mines and geology department official.

Congress leader Sudip Tamankar lodged a complaint at Ponda police station alleging that the harassment meted out to assistant geologist Dattatray Bhave, along with other five officials who were suspended for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activity, prompted Bhave to commit suicide.

The complaint said Parrikar should be interrogated and booked for his alleged role in the suicide.

Bhave had committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Ponda town on September 21. His family had alleged that Bhave was humiliated, mentally tortured and harassed by the department after the suspension, which forced him to take the extreme step.

A senior police official said they will be studying the charges levelled in the complaint before proceeding with further action.

Meanwhile, BJP's Goa spokesman Dr Wilfred Mesquita said that the Congress was "trying to draw mileage from the suicide incident."

The officer should have faced the inquiry, instead of killing himself, Mesquita said. Parrikar had asked local deputy collector to initiate an inquiry in the suicide.