Nagpur: Following a dispute over betel nut trade transactions, Bharat alias Bholu Mohandas Chug (44), a resident of Tulsi Colony, Shanti Nagar, committed suicide by hanging. Prior to taking his own life, Bharat recorded a video and left a suicide note detailing harassment by betel nut (supari) traders and named 18 persons.
Shanti Nagar police have arrested nine accused in this connection. However, many of the other traders have now gone underground.
The arrested businessmen are Sagar Krishnani (29) of Lakadganj; Kishore Dhanwani (48) of Shanti Nagar; Roshan Shahu (40) of Kalamna; Daya Dhanjani (56) of Chhapru Nagar, Kumar Vensani (38); RavindraTadas (39) of Jai Bhole Nagar; Rahul Dekate (39) of Badkas Chowk; Pankaj Bhawnani (43) of Quetta Colony; and Anand Khattar (48) of Tulsi Colony.
The accused were produced in court on Monday. The police have requested custody to investigate the transaction records between the accused and the deceased’s son, and to identify those who threatened Bharat or others. The court has granted police custody of all accused persons until June 26.
The suicide note contains partial names, including Tufail, Javed, Asif, Aasu, Nikhil Bardana, Mukesh Bardana, Ahmed, Imran, Nawas, Hamza, and Shubham and made it challenging for police to identify them. Bharat’s son Ishwar was engaged in betel nut trading and had financial dealings with the accused, but he squandered the money on a lavish lifestyle. Threats from the traders seeking repayment likely led to Bharat’s suicide. Ishwar is deeply affected by his father’s death and is not able to be interrogated. Police anticipate locating the remaining accused soon.
