After Bengaluru techie suicide, Delhi sees similar case: ‘Listening to Richa for one last time & killing myself’

Coming close on the heels of the suicide of a Bengaluru techie due to alleged harassment by his estranged wife, a similar case of suicide has been reported from Delhi. A man reportedly committed suicide over allegations of being falsely implicated in cases of rape and dowry filed against him in 2017.

Arvind Bharti left a suicide note and filed a police complaint at Sarita Vihar Police Station, stating that his wife, Richa, had made false allegations against him and his family. Even after their divorce, she allegedly harassed them with fake cases, according to an NDTV report.

Arvind Bharti, who lived in Yamuna Vihar, said Richa "blackmailed and tortured" him constantly. He held her responsible for his death and expressed little faith in the police.

Bharti died by suicide on December 15, 2017. While the complaint letter was written a day before his death, it is not clear when it was submitted to the police. Richa was arrested after the incident but later released on bail.

What did suicide note say?

In his six-page suicide note to the Sarita Vihar Police, Bharti explained how his wife drove him to take the extreme step. He mentioned they married in 2008, and her behaviour towards him and his family changed drastically afterwards.

"She used to register false police complaints, due to which we stayed together only for a few days. She later filed a false dowry case against me. I was discharged in the case by a Delhi court in 2013," Bharti said.

He said the couple parted ways in 2016, but the alleged harassment did not stop. Richa followed him to his office and coaching institute and insulted him many times. She even lodged a false complaint against him.

"The police physically and mentally tortured me and refused to register my complaint (against her). A compromise was reached, and they sent me to Richa's house, where her family stripped me and locked me in a room. I was neither given any water to drink nor food to eat," he said.

Bharti also said Richa pressured him with her demands for money. "I cannot even complain to anyone because I know that another false case will be filed against me," he said.

He said on one occasion, Richa told him, “You haven't been able to do anything to me. Even the police and the Human Rights (Commission) have not accepted you and your father's complaint.”

He alleged that once Richa took away his bag, which contained his office laptop, wallet, bike documents, money, and a company invoice with a cheque of ₹ 32 lakh.

"I am listening to Richa for one last time and killing myself. Otherwise, I shall die this way everyday," he added.