Ahmedabad: Man ends life as colleague takes loans in his name

 A 51-year-old man from Vejalpur committed suicide on Monday as recovery agents of financiers had begun hounding him for repayment of loans taken fraudulently in his name by a colleague of his, a resident of Ambawadi.

According to the complaint filed at Vejalpur police station, Mahendra Gohel, a resident of Vankarvaas in Vejalpur, worked as a driver for a private company in Vastrapur.

On Monday, Gohel rose at around 5am and went to the second floor of his house. At about 7am on Monday, Gohel's son Vineet heard a noise outside his house and when he ran out, he saw his father hanging from a hook in the ceiling of their balcony.

Gohel's family took him to a private hospital where he was declared brought dead by doctors.

The FIR said the family found two papers in Gohel's pocket, on which he had written a detailed suicide note blaming his colleague, Yogesh Shukla, and Shukla's wife, for forcing him into committing suicide.

In the note, Gohel said Shukla had taken several personal loans in Gohel's name by using his documents fraudulently.

"Shukla had taken loans from companies such as Tata Capital, Bajaj Finance and IDFC Bank among others, in my name and bought expensive items on financing from these firms. He and his wife have been constantly harassing me and even took away my salary," the suicide note.

The suicide note further said that the recovery agents of various financial companies had been coming to Gohel's house and harassing him and his family for two months.

"Shukla spoiled my life and took away my documents, which must be on his phone. I cannot take this pressure anymore, so I am committing suicide. Please ensure that Shukla and his wife get exemplary punishment," the note says.

Gohel's family submitted the note to Vejalpur police, who registered a complaint of abetment of suicide along with charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Shukla and his wife.

Gohel's nephew, Tejas Gohel, said they inquired at his office about Shukla and learned that he had been absent for around two months. "Shukla may have taken loans that our family members are not aware of some eight months ago. Even after my uncle's death, we have been receiving threatening calls from recovery agents," Tejas said.