Maharashtra: Falsely accused of molestation, 2 youngsters hang selves to death; 3 held

Aurangabad: Two youths allegedly died by suicide in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra on Tuesday, reportedly after they were falsely accused of molestation. Before taking the extreme step, the duo wrote a note wherein they stated that they feared public stigmatisation due to the molestation allegation.

The deceased were identified as Dnyaneshwar Shirsath (20) and Yogesh Khiste. The two worked as watchmen at a godown in the district's Sillod rural area. Based on their note, the police have arrested Shaikh Moin, a school clerk, Shaikh Mushtaq, a private employee, and their female associate under abetment to suicide charge.

According to a report by The Times of India, police probe revealed that on Sunday, the three accused visited a deserted place near a farm. Shirsath and Khiste took objection to this, following which the trio tried to flee on a motorcycle. The two-wheeler, however, skidded and they suffered injuries. The woman and her two friends then threatened the watchmen saying that they would file a molestation case against them.

After this, the two watchmen went to the godown and penned down a note blaming the woman and her two male friends of threatening to implicate them in a false molestation case. "They added that they cannot see their parents being embarrassed and feared social stigma due to molestation charges. Then they hanged themselves," the report published by TOI stated.

On Tuesday morning, Ananda Pawar, an acquaintance of the duo, noticed the WhatsApp status. After failing to contact the duo over the phone, Pawar went to the godown, where he found the watchmen hanging. Subsequently, the police were informed and the three accused were arrested.