Browse
Log in / Register
Share
Patna: A 20-year-old daily-wage worker was found hanging from a tree in the Bikram police station area of Patna district on Sunday morning. The body was discovered in a field near Gorkhari village, a short distance from the Balaji Temple in Timuhani, after villagers alerted the police around 7 am. A team reached the spot, brought the body down, and sent it for post-mortem.
The deceased has been identified as Ritu Kumar, son of Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Mahagupur village under Janipur police station. Family members said he was employed as a daily-wage helper with a local mason. He had been in the Bikram area that morning, and his family said he informed them of his location before the incident.
Police have described the death as unnatural and are investigating the circumstances. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Sub-Divisional Police Officer-II, Paliganj, said the family had been informed, and the preliminary view was suicide. “Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and further action is being taken after collection of evidence,” Sharma said.
The spot was cordoned off by police after the body was noticed. A gamcha, a cotton cloth commonly used in the region, was found at the scene and is expected to be examined. Investigators have also questioned villagers to determine whether anyone saw the young man near Gorkhari before the discovery.
Relatives told police that Ritu had spoken to a friend on the phone shortly before the incident. He also told family members that he was in the Bikram area. Police are now checking the movement of the victim and the people he may have met. The officer said no possibility has been ruled out, and the final cause of death will be known after the autopsy.
In hanging cases, the autopsy plays a critical role in establishing not only the cause of death but also the nature of injuries. Police will compare the post-mortem findings with the photographs and observations made at the scene. The position of the body, the material tied to the tree, and the presence of any other marks could provide important clues.
The incident has stunned people in the Timuhani area, where many residents depend on masonry, farming, and other casual work. Local residents gathered near the field after the news spread and remained there until investigators left. Police have not reported a suicide note, and no arrest has been made. They are also waiting for the opinion of the medical officer before taking further legal action.
The case has also drawn attention to the circumstances faced by daily-wage workers in rural Bihar. Such workers usually have no fixed income, no formal leave, and little access to mental-health support. While police have not established any motive, the death has renewed talks in the area about stress among young workers and the need for better community support.
Police said the investigation is still at an early stage. SDPO Sharma said, “All possible angles are being examined. The exact cause of death will be established after the post-mortem.” He said statements of family members and friends are being recorded, and officials are also verifying whether the friend Ritu spoke to before his death can add anything to the sequence of events.
For those in distress, support is available. In India, the KIRAN helpline (1800-599-0019) provides mental-health assistance. In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached 24/7. There is no confirmed information linking Ritu Kumar's death to any mental-health condition, but the case is a reminder of the value of timely help.
This report was updated on May 9, 2026.
