Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for a detailed investigation into the tragic death of a 30-year-old assistant engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD), who died by suicide in Bongaigaon on Tuesday.
The young engineer, Jyotisha Das, was found dead in her rented accommodation. Her death has sparked widespread outrage after a handwritten suicide note was recovered from the scene, in which she accused two senior officials of mentally harassing her and pressuring her to approve fraudulent bills related to incomplete projects.
“We are investigating all aspects. The building concerned, on which the alleged bills were made, will be probed. We will reassess the work costing,” police officials said, confirming that a criminal investigation was underway.
According to police sources, Das had been under severe psychological distress and felt unsupported at her workplace. In the note, she expressed her helplessness, stating she was overwhelmed by pressure from her seniors and had no one to turn to for professional guidance. “I am taking this step due to extreme stress from my work. There is no one to guide me in the office. I am tired and have nowhere to go. My parents are worried for me,” the note stated.
Following a formal complaint lodged by her family, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested two officials named in the note — Dinesh Medhi Sharma, a recently promoted Superintendent Engineer who previously held the post of Executive Engineer in Bongaigaon, and Aminul Islam, the current Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in Bongaigaon.
The arrests were made on charges of abetment of suicide under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Investigators are now examining the financial records and project files linked to the officials named, especially those concerning the allegedly fraudulent bills.
Chief Minister Sarma has instructed the concerned departments to fully cooperate with the inquiry and ensure transparency. He has also assured the public that strict action will be taken if the allegations are proven true. The case has prompted wider questions about internal oversight mechanisms within state departments, particularly regarding pressure faced by junior employees.
The death of Jyotisha Das has drawn widespread sympathy and sparked protests by civil society groups and youth organisations demanding accountability and institutional reforms. Her colleagues described her as a sincere and hardworking engineer who had been under visible stress in recent weeks.
As the investigation continues, the state government has pledged to conduct an audit of PWD projects in the region and re-evaluate internal procedures to ensure that no official, especially women and junior officers, is left without proper mentorship and safeguards in place.
