INDIA. Mumbai: Tragedy struck the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in North East Mumbai as scientist Manish Somnath Sharma (50) was discovered dead in his residential quarter at Trombay.
The incident, classified as an apparent suicide by hanging, occurred on Monday, with the police reporting the incident on Wednesday.
According to reports, Sharma was alone at home on Monday while his wife and son were out for errands. Upon their return around 2:30 pm, they were greeted with a distressing sight: Manish Sharma was hanging from a ceiling fan in the hall room, suspended by a nylon rope.
In the wake of the tragic discovery, neighbors promptly rushed in upon hearing Nitu Sharma’s screams. While they attempted to bring Sharma down, he was then taken to the BARC Hospital in Anushakti Colony. Unfortunately, the medical staff declared him dead upon arrival.
A handwritten note with the brief words “Sorry Beta” was discovered on a table within the residence. The note, purportedly written by Sharma, expressed apologies to his family for not meeting their expectations and outlined his reasons for the drastic step he had taken.
Manish Sharma, originally from Delhi and an IIT Delhi alumnus, joined BARC in 2000 as a Scientific Officer. He specialized in safety studies of advanced nuclear reactors and had been under treatment from a psychiatrist since 2001 due to mental stress, according to BARC sources.
No foul play is suspected, and the Trombay police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). The note found at the scene will be sent to the Maharashtra Government’s Directorate of Forensic Laboratories, while the police will also consult with the psychiatrist who had been treating Sharma.
This tragic incident brings to mind a similar occurrence in September 2021 when Scientist Officer Champalal Prajapati (44), associated with the Technical Physical Division, died by hanging within the BARC premises. Prajapati was also reportedly struggling with mental stress.
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