‘Felt isolated at home and office’: Kasaragod Collectorate clerk’s death under probe

Kasaragod, Kerala: Kasaragod District Collector Arjun Pandian has ordered an inquiry into the death by suicide of A Ashalatha (42), senior clerk at the Endosulphan Cell of the Collectorate and a district council member of the NGO Union.

Additional District Magistrate P Udayakumar will conduct a separate inquiry and submit a report. The Collector said strict action would be taken if anyone is found responsible during the departmental inquiry.

Ashalatha died on August 9 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode after consuming rat poison. According to police, she reached the Collectorate in her own car on the morning of August 7 and consumed ice cream mixed with rat poison inside the vehicle.

After feeling unwell, she drove herself home and later went to a cooperative hospital in Chengala. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to a hospital in Kozhikode for further treatment.

On August 7, the Vidyanagar police recorded Ashalatha’s statement at a private hospital in Chengala in the presence of her relatives.

“At around 10 am on the 7th, I mixed three packets of rat poison (Ratol) with ice cream and consumed it. I did this of my own free will. The reason for taking this step was that I felt isolated at home and in the office. I have been mentally broken for the past few days due to the ‘mental stress’ caused by this. I have no complaints against anyone,” according to her statement.

Ashalatha was working in the A5 section of the Collectorate. Before the new government assumed office, she was transferred on May 12 to the Endosulphan Special Cell within the Collectorate itself on a work-adjustment basis.

Three senior clerks, including Ashalatha, were transferred under an order issued by the Collector. Officials in charge of the Endosulphan Special Cell also said that she had performed her duties efficiently after being transferred there.

(Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or thoughts of self-harm, seek professional support without delay. You can contact Tele-MANAS, a 24x7 mental health helpline by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at 14416 or 1800-891-4416.)