Bhanjanagar: A branch manager of Gayaganda-based Utkal Gramya Bank in Ganjam district committed suicide by hanging at his rented house Monday allegedly due to mental harassment by his senior officials. He was identified as Niranjan Nayak (50).
Police registered a case of unnatural death over a complaint lodged by Niranjan’s brother and sent the body for post-mortem. Police also seized a suicide note and a mobile phone from the spot.
Niranjan in the suicide note stated that his family was his priority while his professional life was secondary.
Sources said Niranjan had several years of work experience. During his stint at G. Udayagiri branch of the bank, a senior official from Phulbani harassed him mentally, the complaint stated.
Under severe stress, Niranjan opted for transfer to his native place. However, he was transferred to Gayaganda. He resided at a rented house in Bhanjanagar due to unavailability of quarters in Gayaganda.
His two daughters studied in Bhubaneswar while his wife visited him occasionally. Niranjan Sunday went to his home and informed his family about the harassment by seniors. Family members advised him to quit the job. He left for Bhanjanagar Sunday evening and took the extreme step at his house, family members said.
The matter came to fore when electricity department officials knocked on Niranjan’s door for meter reading. With the help of neighbours they broke open the door and found Niranjan’s body hanging.
“An investigation is on,” said Bhanjanagar SDPO Ramesh Sethy. PNN
