Maharashtra Congress leader Mahadev Shelar commits suicide

Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Mahadev Shelar (64) committed suicide on Saturday by hanging himself at his home in Mulund. He was rushed to the Mulund Fortis Hospital where he was declared dead. Later his body was taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar for post-mortem. The police is to ascertain the reason behind the alleged suicide. He is survived by his wife and son.

According to Mulund police officials, the senior Congress leader and spokesman was a resident of Kunja society in Mulund (west). The incident took place on Saturday after his wife went out to meet some relatives. She discovered his body when she came back and alerted the neighbours.

DCP Akhilesh Singh said, “He might have committed suicide around 2.30 pm. He hanged himself from the ceiling fan with a nylon rope. We have found a note written by him in which states that he is committing suicide because of health issues and does not want to trouble anybody else in the family. His wife is still in shock and so we are yet to take her statement,” he said.

Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the sudden death has come as a shock and it is difficult to digest. “We have known Shelar as a happy, helpful and co-operative person. Shelar was a lawyer and a very literate man who was known for his calm nature. He stood by the Congress and defended his party when the Opposition accused it of poor performance and other political agenda,” Mr Vikhe-Patil said.