
Engineer Jyotisha Das’s tragic suicide exposes alleged corruption and workplace harassment in Assam’s PWD.
A Tragic Wake-Up Call
Jyotisha Das suicide – In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken Assam’s administrative corridors, 30-year-old assistant engineer Jyotisha Das of the Public Works Department (PWD) died by suicide in her rented apartment in Bongaigaon. Her handwritten suicide note, now central to a criminal investigation, accuses two senior officials of relentless pressure to approve fraudulent bills for incomplete government projects.
Her death is not just a personal tragedy – it’s a damning indictment of systemic corruption, workplace harassment, and the absence of institutional support for young professionals in India’s public sector.
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The Suicide Note: A Cry for Help Ignored
Jyotisha’s note paints a picture of mental exhaustion and isolation:
“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.”
She specifically named Dinesh Medhi Sharma, a recently promoted Superintendent Engineer, and Aminul Islam, a Sub-Divisional Officer, as the individuals who allegedly coerced her into clearing inflated bills for a mini stadium project in Borsojgaon, Gossaigaon constituency.
The Project in Question: Stadium of Shadows
The construction project at the heart of the controversy was reportedly riddled with irregularities:
- No architectural drawings or proper documentation
- No site engineer appointed, leaving Jyotisha solely responsible
- Contractor’s bill allegedly inflated by ₹1 crore
- Accusations against architect Debajit Sarma for submitting incomplete estimates
Despite repeated requests for guidance, Jyotisha was allegedly left to navigate the bureaucratic maze alone — a young woman engineer facing institutional rot with no safety net.
Legal Action: Arrests and Investigations
Following her death, Jyotisha’s family filed an FIR, prompting swift police action:
- Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 invoked for abetment of suicide
- Sharma and Islam arrested and placed under judicial custody
- Forensic analysis of the suicide note underway
- Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a detailed investigation, including an audit of the project and associated bills
Mental Health and Workplace Harassment: The Silent Epidemic
Jyotisha’s case is a grim reminder of the mental health crisis brewing in India’s bureaucratic and corporate spaces:
- Lack of mentorship and support systems
- Fear of retaliation for whistleblowing
- Gendered isolation in male-dominated departments
Her note reflects not just professional stress, but emotional abandonment – a young woman caught between integrity and survival.
Public Reaction: Outrage and Demands for Reform
The incident has sparked widespread outrage:
- Civil society groups demanding workplace harassment reforms
- Women’s rights activists calling for gender-sensitive grievance redressal mechanisms
- Engineers and bureaucrats sharing similar experiences anonymously on social media
The hashtag #JusticeForJyotisha is gaining traction, with calls for transparent audits, mental health support, and anti-corruption safeguards in government departments.
What Needs to Change: Systemic Solutions
Jyotisha’s death must not be in vain. Key reforms could include:
- Mandatory ethics training for public officials
- Independent grievance cells for junior staff
- Whistleblower protection laws with real enforcement
- Mental health helplines and counseling embedded in government offices
Final Thoughts: A Life That Spoke Truth to Power
Jyotisha Das was more than an engineer – she was a symbol of integrity, a young woman who refused to compromise her values despite overwhelming pressure. Her final act was not just a cry for help, but a call for accountability.
As investigations unfold, India must confront the uncomfortable truth: corruption kills, and silence enables it.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to these helplines:
- AASRA (Mumbai): 022-27546669
- Sneha (Chennai): 044-24640050
- Sumaitri (Delhi): 011-23389090
- Roshni (Hyderabad): 040-66202000
- Vandrevala Foundation: 9999666555 (Call/WhatsApp)
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