The investigation into the alleged suicide of SRPF Group-16 constable Kaustubh Sangle at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan in Mumbai’s high-security Malabar Hill area has gathered pace. Investigators are looking into multiple angles, including his personal life, family circumstances and mental health.
Sources said Sangle was on duty at Tower-2 of Lok Bhavan from 6 pm to 9 pm on Monday. SRPF security shifts are changed every three hours. During his duty, he reportedly entered a room near his post and allegedly shot himself with his service-issued SLR rifle. He died on the spot after sustaining a gunshot injury.
Alleged Suicide During Duty Hours
Around 9 pm, the next security personnel arrived to relieve him and noticed blood at the location. Senior officers were immediately informed, following which Malabar Hill Police and forensic teams rushed to the spot. The weapon has been seized and forensic examination is underway.
DCP Ragasudha R said, “Prima facie, it appears he took this step due to personal reasons. A suicide note has been recovered and is currently being examined as part of the investigation.”
Who Was Kaustubh Sangle?
According to officials, Kaustubh Sangle belonged to the 2024 batch of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). After completing his training, he was posted in Mumbai and had joined duty at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan on June 10. The government complex is considered one of the state’s most sensitive and highly secured locations.
Relationship Angle Under Scanner
Investigators are also examining a possible relationship angle. Sources said Sangle was reportedly in a relationship with a woman police constable posted with the Mira-Bhayandar Police. The two had allegedly been planning to get married.
However, the woman later reportedly declined the marriage proposal, and her family fixed her marriage with another police constable. Sources believe Sangle had been under emotional stress following these developments.
Had Allegedly Threatened Suicide Earlier
Sources further claimed that Sangle had allegedly threatened the woman constable several times that he would end his life. She had reportedly informed the Bhayandar Police about these threats in advance.
Investigators are now checking what action, if any, was taken after that information was received, whether senior officers were informed, and whether any counselling or other support was offered to him.
Police are also looking into Sangle’s family history. Sources said he lost his mother at a young age, after which his father remarried. He had two sisters. One of them had died by suicide several years ago, while the other is married.
Investigators are trying to establish whether his family circumstances, along with recent personal developments, had any impact on his mental well-being.
Another key aspect of the investigation is whether the mandatory mental health assessment of SRPF personnel was conducted as per protocol in Sangle’s case. Police and SRPF officials are reviewing whether all required evaluations were carried out on time.
Malabar Hill Police have informed SRPF authorities about the incident. An Accidental Death Report (ADR) has been registered, and the investigation is continuing from all possible angles. Police are awaiting the forensic findings and the examination of the suicide note before drawing any conclusions.