Unemployment ‘drives’ newly-wed couple to suicide in ‘Textile City’

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, September 9

Unemployment caused by COVID pandemic reportedly forced a newly-married couple to commit suicide in ‘Textile City’ here on Wednesday.

The couple ended their lives by hanging in their room in Raj Nagar here.

The deceased have been identified as Aawed (28) and his wife Nazma (19).

Jawed, elder brother of Aawed, in his statement to police said that Aawed got married with Nazma of Vikas Nagar on August 10 and they were very happy as the marriage was of their choice.  

Earlier, Aawed was working as a welder in a private company but lost job in lockdown due to COVID pandemic, he added. He was hoping that he would get work in the Unlock period, in another factory, but he didn’t and due to which he was mentally upset, Jawed said.

His friend Nafis came to meet Aawed at home on Wednesday morning and asked him to go out in search of a job. After meeting Nafis, Aawed went to his room.

At around 9.30 am Jawed’s wife Chandni witnessed the duo hanging in their room with a dupatta from a fan and informed the police control room.

Jawed said his father Anwar Khan is working in a spinning mill while he himself was working as a cashier in a shop. The family members never pressured him to work but he was upset due to unemployment, he added.

Anwar, father of the deceased, said Aawed was looking for work for the past many days.  

Sunil Kumar, SHO, Model Town, said the family members of Aawed and Nazma, in their statement to police didn’t suspect anyone behind the incident.

The family members also said the couple was upset for the past few days due to unemployment, he added.

The bodies have been handed over to the kin after the post-mortem after initiating the inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC, the SHO said.