Bindi, saree, lipstick! 22-year-old staff member dies by suicide at IAS academy in Mussoorie

IAS academy suicide: A tragic incident unfolded at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, where a 22-year-old male staffer was found dead by suicide. The deceased, identified as Anukul Rawat, a resident of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, was discovered in his government accommodation, dressed in a saree and wearing makeup, according to reports.

Colleagues alerted by absence from work

Rawat, who recently began working as a multi-tasking staffer at the prestigious IAS training academy, had not been showing up for work. Concerned by his absence, his colleagues decided to check on him. When repeated knocks at his door went unanswered, they peered through a window and found him hanging inside his locked room.

Discovery and initial investigation

The police were alerted by Home Guard Subhash Kumar from the Happy Valley Police Station. Upon arrival, they forced open the door and found Rawat hanging from a noose. Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh confirmed that no suicide note was found at the scene. Rawat’s family has been notified, and further details are expected after their arrival.

उत्तराखंड : मसूरी स्थित IAS अकादमी में 22 साल के अनुकूल रावत ने फांसी लगाकर आत्महत्या कर ली। मरने से पहले उसने साड़ी पहनी। बिंदी, चूड़ी सहित पूरा श्रंगार किया। फिर फांसी पर झूल गया। अनुकूल यहां मल्टी टास्किंग स्टाफ में कार्यरत था। pic.twitter.com/E131oHYC4o

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) October 18, 2024

Speculation around mental health

Preliminary investigations suggest that Anukul may have been experiencing mental distress, though the exact cause of his suicide remains unclear. The manner in which he was dressed—wearing a saree and makeup—has led to speculation about his state of mind before his death.

Similar case in Uttarakhand

This incident echoes a similar case in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, in June, where Assistant Manager of Air Traffic Control, Ashish Chausali, was found dead by suicide under comparable circumstances. Chausali was also discovered with makeup on his face, sparking conversations about the mental health struggles faced by individuals in these situations.