A court employee who died by suicide at Delhi’s Saket Court complex earlier this year was 60 per cent physically disabled from birth and had appealed for lighter responsibilities for persons with disabilities, according to a statement placed before Parliament.
Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, the Union Law Ministry said a note recovered after the incident pointed to work-related pressure as the reason for the act and made it clear that no individual was being blamed.
The ministry informed the House that the incident came to light after an emergency call was received on the morning of January 9, reporting that a person had fallen from the terrace of the main Saket Court building. Police reached the spot to find that the individual had already been taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
The deceased was identified as Harish Singh Mahar, around 43 years old, who was serving as an ahlmad in Digital Traffic Court No. 27 at Saket Courts.
According to the government’s account, investigators found no evidence of foul play. A suicide note was recovered from the staffer’s pocket by the attending doctor. The note cited workplace pressure and included a request that employees with disabilities be given lighter duties. It also stated that no one should be held responsible for the decision.
When asked about similar incidents in recent years, the Centre said it does not maintain a consolidated record of suicides occurring within court premises.
The Law Ministry reiterated that the safety and security of everyone working in court complexes remains a priority, while noting that day-to-day administration and security of such premises are handled by state governments and Union Territories in coordination with the respective High Courts.
