Indore, April 26 (NationPress): A young traffic police constable, Ankit Tomar, was discovered dead inside his residence at the Chauthi Paltan police quarters in Indore on Saturday, triggering a formal investigation under the Malharganj Police Station jurisdiction. The constable, posted with the Indore City Traffic Wing, was found hanging after colleagues grew alarmed by his prolonged silence and absence from duty. Authorities have deployed a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team and are probing all possible angles.

How the Tragedy Unfolded

Tomar had reportedly returned to his quarters at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday after completing his assigned shift. When he failed to report for duty on Saturday morning and remained completely unreachable on his phone, his colleagues grew increasingly concerned.

Fellow personnel attempted to contact him through repeated calls, but receiving no response, they alerted senior officers. Upon arrival, officials found Tomar unresponsive inside his flat, hanging. Emergency responders confirmed he had died.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sumit Kerketta confirmed the sequence of events and stated that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness pending a thorough inquiry.

FSL Inspection and Key Findings

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) was promptly summoned to conduct a detailed examination of the premises. The flat was thoroughly inspected and physical evidence was collected for further analysis.

Critically, no suicide note was recovered from the scene, which has complicated investigators' efforts to establish an immediate motive behind the incident. The absence of a note means authorities cannot rule out any angle at this stage.

The body of Ankit Tomar has been sent for a post-mortem examination, the results of which are expected to provide key forensic insights into the cause and time of death.

Profile of the Deceased Constable

Ankit Tomar was unmarried and served in a clerical capacity at the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East) in Indore. He was not involved in frontline traffic duty but handled administrative responsibilities within the traffic division.

Colleagues who worked alongside him described Tomar as a disciplined and soft-spoken individual. His sudden and unexpected death has left fellow personnel deeply shaken and in disbelief, according to those familiar with him.

Investigation Underway; Family Awaited

Authorities are currently awaiting the arrival of Tomar's family members from their hometown before completing the remaining legal formalities. Detailed statements from family and colleagues are expected to be recorded once they arrive.

Police officials confirmed that investigators are examining all possible angles — including personal stress, professional pressures, financial difficulties, and interpersonal conflicts — as part of the ongoing probe. No angle has been ruled out at this stage.

A Troubling Pattern Within Madhya Pradesh Police

This incident comes amid growing concern about the mental health and working conditions of police personnel in Madhya Pradesh. Notably, in February 2025, a Head Constable in Neemuch district died by suicide and left behind a detailed note alleging rampant corruption and systematic mental harassment within the state's police force.

That case sparked a brief internal uproar but reportedly resulted in limited institutional follow-up. Critics argue that the state police administration has yet to implement a robust mental health support framework for its personnel — a gap that advocacy groups and retired officers have flagged repeatedly.

According to data from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), police personnel in India face disproportionately high rates of occupational stress, long working hours, and inadequate psychological support infrastructure — factors that experts link to rising suicide rates within the force nationally.

The Indore incident is likely to renew calls for mandatory mental health screenings, anonymous grievance redressal systems, and welfare reforms within the Madhya Pradesh Police department. Whether state authorities respond with systemic change or treat this as an isolated case will be closely watched by civil society groups and police welfare organisations.

As the post-mortem report and family statements are awaited, investigators are expected to submit a preliminary finding to senior officials within the coming days — a development that could either close the case or escalate it into a wider departmental inquiry.