'Depressed' undertrial hangs himself inside cell

An undertrial allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom of his cell at Taloja jail early on Friday. According to the police, the deceased was lodged in the jail since last May, facing trial in a rape case.

The Kharghar police said the deceased, Ramesh Vatare, 45, was lodged in barrack number 2. On Friday morning, his body was found hanging inside the bathroom. "We were informed by the jail authorities about the suicide, and when we rushed to the spot, we found Vatare hanging by a bedsheet," said an officer from Kharghar police station.

"We have not found any suicide note; we are investigating the matter."

During the preliminary investigation, the police found out that Vatare had been depressed for the last few days. "We have come to know that his wife died a few days back and his son was left severely crippled after an accident. His teenaged daughter is alone at home," said the officer.

"Even the other inmates, with whom we inquired, have told us that for the last few days Vatare had been keeping to himself and looked depressed."