Man Dies By Suicide Blaming Wife, Relatives In Video: MP High Court Orders DSP-Level Probe Into Alleged Roles

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on September 1 directed a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation into the death of a man who allegedly uploaded a video shortly before his death blaming his wife, her father and other relatives for the circumstances leading to his suicide.

Justice Himanshu Joshi directed the Superintendent of Police, Burhanpur, to entrust the investigation to a responsible officer, preferably not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who is independent of the police officer against whom allegations of bias had been raised.

The Court made it clear that the alleged video and the conduct of the persons named in it require investigation, including to determine whether the allegations disclose abetment of suicide or any other cognizable offence.

Man found dead in hotel room

The order was passed on a petition filed by the 66-year-old mother of the deceased, Pawan, seeking a fair investigation into Merg/Inquest Intimation No.06/2025 registered at Kotwali Police Station, Burhanpur.

Pawan died during the intervening night of July 12 and 13, 2025, in a Hotel room in Burhanpur. His post-mortem report attributed the cause of death to asphyxia as a result of hanging.

According to the petitioner, shortly before his death, Pawan had uploaded a video on Facebook in which he named Rachana Ingle, stated to be his wife, along with her father Poonam Chand Ingle and relatives Jai Ingle and Sagar Ingle. The video allegedly attributed responsibility to them for circumstances preceding his death.

The petitioner approached senior police authorities on several occasions, including the Superintendent of Police, Burhanpur, and Inspector General of Police, Khargone, alleging that the matter was not being effectively investigated.

An RTI response dated March 29, 2026 had stated that the investigation was still under process.

Why Court said allegations require investigation?

The High Court held that the allegations contained in the video could not simply be accepted as true, but neither could they be discarded without investigation.

The Court observed: "Whether the video is genuine, whether it was actually uploaded by the deceased, whether the transcript correctly reflects its contents, and whether the allegations contained therein constitute abetment of suicide or any other cognizable offence, are matters which necessarily require investigation."

It further clarified: "At this stage, this Court cannot either accept the allegations as proved or reject them without investigation."

Thus, the Court directed that the investigation specifically examine the authenticity and source of the video, the original electronic record and other electronic evidence, besides examining relevant witnesses and the circumstances preceding and surrounding Pawan's death.

What Court said on alleged death by Suicide?

The Court rejected the suggestion that the post-mortem finding of death by hanging, by itself, brought the matter to an end. It observed: "The fact that the death was prima facie a case of suicide by hanging also does not, by itself, bring the matter to an end."

According to the Court, where material suggests that the conduct of particular persons may have contributed to or facilitated the suicide, such material must be examined by the investigating agency.

The Court therefore directed the authorities to investigate the alleged conduct and roles of the persons named in the video, rather than treating the matter merely as a case of suicide.

Independent DSP-level probe ordered

The Court also took note of the petitioner's apprehension of bias in the investigation and the fact that repeated representations had been made to senior police authorities.

It consequently directed the DSP-Level probe to examine the alleged video, its authenticity, source, and original electronic record, along with other electronic evidence, witnesses, and circumstances connected with the death.

The petitioner's representations were also directed to be considered.

If the investigation discloses a cognizable offence, the authorities have been directed to take appropriate action. If no such offence is disclosed, a reasoned decision must be taken.

The SP was further directed to monitor the investigation and endeavour to bring it to its logical conclusion, preferably within three months from production of the certified copy of the order.

The petition was accordingly disposed of with directions for a fair, impartial and expeditious investigation.

Case title: LAKSHMI BAI DANGORE v THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS