20-Year-Old’s Suicide After Settlement Puts Focus on Police Conduct in Uttarakhand

A 20-year-old man, Pankaj Kumar , allegedly died by suicide after hanging himself from the Dangleshwar Mahadev Bridge in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, officials said on Saturday. The incident has sparked concern after a video purportedly recorded by the young man before his death surfaced on social media, in which he leveled serious allegations against the Satpuli police.

In the video, Kumar claimed that police personnel had dragged and humiliated him in front of his mother and family members , raising questions about alleged misconduct. Authorities have taken note of the claims, with Pauri Senior Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Panwar ordering a probe into both the suicide and the allegations.

According to police, the incident began a day earlier when Kumar allegedly collided with a local doctor while riding his motorcycle under the influence of alcohol . Both sustained injuries, and a medical examination confirmed intoxication. Police seized his motorcycle and later handed him over to his family after summoning them.

Officials added that a mutual understanding was reached between Kumar’s family and the injured doctor, with no formal complaint or legal case registered . However, it remains unclear whether Kumar was still under the influence of alcohol at the time of the suicide, as no such confirmation has been provided.

Following the incident, police, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and fire personnel, recovered the body and sent it to Kotdwar Hospital for post-mortem .

Taking the allegations seriously, the Satpuli Station House Officer has been attached to lines pending inquiry. The investigation has been handed over to the Kotdwar Additional Superintendent of Police, and officials said further legal action will depend on the post-mortem report and evidence.