Aravalli evictions: Man kills self outside house

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, June 16

“Ghar tutne ki chinta mere pitaji ki chita ban gayi (the stress of losing our house took the life of my father),” says a tearful Rajesh (32), younger son of Ganeshi Lal (72), who died by suicide here this morning outside his house in Khori village, which falls under the protected Aravalli area. Nearly 6,500 dwellings spread over 172 acres in Khori are facing demolition following the recent Supreme Court orders.

Ganeshi, who ran a small shop here, was found hanging from a tree outside his newly built two-room house. The family, including his two sons and daughters-in-law, learnt of the tragic incident around 6 am.

“My father looked stressed last night when he confided he was worried about our newly constructed house,” says Rajesh, adding that they had exhausted their Rs 2.5 lakh savings on the construction of the house built on a 100-sq yard plot bought several years ago.

“We hail from Meerut in UP. The family first moved to Khanpur village of Delhi before relocating at Khori about 14 years ago,” says Rajesh, who works as charpoy maker while his elder brother is a guard in a private company. “We chose this place to settle down as it is close to Delhi and offers employment avenues, he says.

The body was handed over to the family this evening after a postmortem.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a case in connection with the suicide against an unidentified property dealer from whom Ganeshi had bought the plot. A police spokesperson said the accused would be arrested on the charge of selling the land illegally.

The police have also booked 100 Khori residents, who allegedly attempted to disturb law and order by resorting to stone-throwing after the suicide incident. No arrest has been made so far.

Sources said a majority of Khori villagers had decided to stay put despite the demolition sword hanging over their heads. A senior district official, however, said: “We are prepared to raze the colony, complying with the directions of the Supreme Court.”

Under stress of demolition

“My father looked stressed last night when he confided he was worried about our newly constructed house,” says Ganeshi Lal’s son Rajesh

100 booked for stone-throwing

The police booked 100 Khori residents, who allegedly attempted to disturb law and order by resorting to stone-throwing after the incident.