The Rajkot police on Saturday found the dead body of well known sports writer Haresh Pandya
The Rajkot police on Saturday found the dead body of well known sports writer Haresh Pandya. The body of Pandya, 53, was fished out from the Aji Dam, around 7.30 am by Aji Dam police after the police control room tipped them off. Senior Police inspector PN Vagela, of Aji Dam police station said, "Our team rushed to the dam soon after we received intimation from our control room, but he was already dead.
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Haresh Pandya
"We suspect the incident might have happened before 7.30 am." According to investigating police sub inspector, FR Rathwa, preliminary inquiries with the family revealed that Pandya left his house on Friday morning to teach English at Virani Science College, but he did not return home in the evening.
When his family tried reaching him on his cell phone, they discovered the mobile was left at home. His brother and friends then started looking for Pandya. According to Rathwa, a few people known to Pandya, arrived on Saturday morning at Aji dam bridge, located in the outskirts of Rajkot city and were shocked to find a suicide note (written in English) as well as Pandya's footwear.
They then informed the control room. When asked about the contents of the suicide note, the police officer said, "The note stated that he was fed up with his health issues and his family should not be harassed. "We found out that Pandya was diabetic and suffered from hyper tension for a long time. He was also treated for a heart ailment earlier."
Asked whether the handwriting on the suicide note was indeed that of Pandya's, Rathwa replied in the affirmative. "We suspect that he jumped from the bridge (more than 25 feet) into the water," he said. Pandya's body was taken to a civil hospital in Rajkot where an autopsy was conducted. The report is awaited. Meanwhile, Sr PI Vagela said, "We have just initiated the probe and will record statements of his family members. The preliminary probe indicates it is a case of suicide." The police have registered the death vide ADR no 164/ 2017 under 174 of Criminal Procedure Code.