Today happens to be World Suicide Prevention Day. Sadly, earlier this month, yet another man ended his life, this time in Gurugram, after he was accused of sexual harassment charges at an office meeting.
The man left a suicide note expressing humiliation with false charges.
Case:
The 41-year-old victim was working as a senior executive at a private company in Section 9 of Gurugram. He had joined the company – which facilitates healthcare services digitally – a month and a half ago after working in the telecom industry for over a decade.
On the morning of September 02, he ended his life leaving a note for his wife and 5-year-old son. The note read,
I am sorry for my wife and son for leaving them alone. Today I was humiliated with sexual harassment allegations in the meeting.
According to media reports, in the previous week of the man’s suicide, a female colleague had accused him of sexually harassing her. The note further added,
I never gave special treatment to any employee. I treated every employee equally. Whatever I am doing is due to allegations in the office. My family and relatives are not involved in this.
Wife Files Complaint
The executive’s wife said that she received a call on Tuesday morning from one of her husband’s colleagues, who told her that he had sent a message saying he was about to kill himself. She ran upstairs and found his body hanging from the fan.
The executive’s wife then accused his company and colleagues of driving him to suicide.
Statement By Victim’s Cousin
Speaking with TOI, victim’s cousin Mohit said that the family was not aware that he was undergoing any stress at work. He quoted,
We were unaware. His colleagues from the current company said something was going on at the office regarding the issue for the last 7-8 days, but he never said anything at home.
The victim had met his brother, who lived next door, just last weekend. Mohit added,
Because of night shifts, he was not available to meet during the day. Last Saturday (Aug 29), I met my brother, and nothing seemed amiss.
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No Statement From Company
The company he worked for did not respond to requests for comment from the media.
Police Statement
Police said they have started a probe after the executive’s wife filed a complaint and have called in handwriting experts to study the four-page note apparently written by him.
An FIR naming the company and the colleagues has been registered at the Sector 9A police station. The accused have been booked under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the IPC.
Family Conducted Shanti March
The victim’s family and well-wishers conducted a “Shanti March” on Monday this week.
The rally saw the participation of dozens of people, including police officers and the executive’s colleagues from his former workplace, all chanting slogans of justice. Mohit told media,
The Shanti march was organised against the company in the name of my cousin. No one from his company came to visit us.
They are speaking what their legal advisor has asked them to and are trying to suppress the case. They have not even initiated an inquiry within the organisation.
Note for Victim’s Family / Cousin Mohit: If you are reading this article, please reach out to Voice For Men India at contact@voiceformenindia.com
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VFMI Take:
- Sexual harassment charges are a double edged sword
- In every case, word of the woman will weigh more as she is considered to be the alleged victim at the initial stage of accusation
- Every company has to follow POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy in all such cases
- In most cases, the accused man is put under suspension until pending enquiry
- The biggest challenge comes in when a man is innocent, and the woman has misused this law to settle score – that could have arisen out of professional rivalry, and many a times even a consensual affair going sour
- There have been several cases, where innocent Men are unable to bear these false charges, particularly as they fear shame in society and in front of their own wife and family
- Our suggestion to all such men is 1) If you are clean and innocent, do not fear 2) Talk to your Wife/Family, Face the process of law 3) Try to bring out evidences 4) Ending life is definitely not the solution as it will make things only worse for your family 5) There is no shame if you are only accused falsely by someone 6) Connect with any of the NGOs below in case you have been falsely implicated
Suicide Prevention Helpline
Men in distress due to family problems or facing threats of false cases from in-laws can contact either of the Men’s Rights NGOs:
Men Welfare Trust, My Nation Hope Foundation, Save Indian Family Foundation, & Vaastav Foundation.
You can also contact Government of India 24×7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline ‘KIRAN’ on 1800-599-0019
"I Am Sorry To Leave My Wife & Son Alone" | Gurugram Executive Ends Life After Being Humiliated In 'False' Sexual Harassment Charges At Work
▪️"Whatever I am doing is due to allegations in office"#SuicidePreventionDay #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #MeToo https://t.co/TrAkJuRdTS
— Voice For Men India (@voiceformenind) September 10, 2022
WATCH:
NCRB SUICIDE REPORT 2021 | GENDER WISE ANALYSIS | MEN’S RIGHTS INDIA | VOICE FOR MEN INDIA
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