Retired bureaucrat found dead in Ranchi flat; police suspect suicide

A retired bureaucrat was found dead in his residence in Ranchi on Sunday, with police suspecting suicide. Sunil Kumar Singh, 61, a resident of Patna, had retired from the post of deputy development commissioner (DDC), Ranchi, a year ago. He had been living alone at his apartment near Sidho-Kanhu Park in the Morabadi area, which falls under Lalpur police station limits.

According to police, Singh's cook arrived at the apartment around 10:30 am and found the door open. Upon entering, the cook discovered Singh hanging from a ceiling fan and informed the police.

Uttam Kumar, sub-inspector at Lalpur police station, said preliminary investigation indicates that Singh died by suicide. "We recovered a suicide note from the flat where he detailed his sufferings due to age-related ailments," Kumar said. "It appears that he was mentally disturbed, which prompted him to take his own life. However, we are not neglecting other angles and have launched an investigation into the matter."

The note, purportedly written by Singh, detailed his suffering from old-age ailments, including severe joint pain, according to reports. A separate account mentioned the recovery of an eight-page suicide note. Police said the exact cause of death will be determined after the autopsy report arrives.

Forensic teams visited the spot as part of the investigation. The body was handed over to family members after a post-mortem examination at RIMS, Ranchi, on Sunday. Police said Singh's wife lives in Patna, while his two sons, both engineers, reside in different cities. An unnatural death case has been lodged, and further investigation is underway.

Investigation

Police have not ruled out any other possibilities, and a thorough probe is in progress. The Lalpur police station is handling the case, and further details are awaited.