Maharashtra Officer Transferred After Employee's Son Kills Himself

Mumbai: A senior bureaucrat in the Maharashtra government has been transferred after the son of his junior committed suicide. Bhagwan Sahai, the Additional Chief Secretary in the agriculture department, had refused to let Rajendra Ghadge go home as requested last week. Mr Ghadge's 23-year-old son killed himself while his father was at work.

Mr Sahai was transferred, officials said today, after an inquiry found fault with him for not letting Mr Ghagde leave early on August 12.

Shortly after coming to work on that day, Mr Ghagde had received a call from his son who was reportedly suffering from depression and threatened to kill himself.

A distressed Mr Ghagde was then made to work through the day. On his way back home in the evening, he received a call informing him that his son had committed suicide.

The incident sparked outrage in the department and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Pandurang Phundkar announced an investigation.

Following the inquiry, Mr Sahai was transferred from his post. As per procedure, he has requested for a two-week leave before taking charge of his new appointment.