DRDO employee from Bengaluru found dead in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district
Synopsis
A DRDO employee stationed in Bengaluru, who had returned home on leave to Jharkhand's Ramgarh district, was found hanging from a tree on a nearby hill on 19 May. Family members say he had been battling severe depression and insomnia for days before the tragedy. He leaves behind a wife and two young sons.
Key Takeaways
Kamal Kishore Mahto , a DRDO employee posted in Bengaluru , was found dead in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand , on 19 May .
He had returned to his ancestral village on leave on 19 April and had been staying with family for weeks.
Family members reported he had been under severe mental stress, depression, and insomnia in the days before the incident.
His body was discovered on a nearby hill after an overnight search hampered by darkness and hilly terrain.
The body has been sent to Sadar Hospital for post-mortem; police investigation is ongoing.
He is survived by his wife and two sons aged six and four .
A Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) employee posted in Bengaluru was found hanging from a tree near his native village in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand, on Tuesday morning, 19 May, according to police. The deceased has been identified as Kamal Kishore Mahto, a resident of Talatad Bhuiyan Tola under the Patratu police station area.
Background and Last Known Movements
Mahto had returned to his ancestral village on leave on 19 April and had been staying with his family for several weeks. According to family members, he had been experiencing severe mental stress and depression in the days preceding the incident, and had also been suffering from insomnia. Villagers reportedly observed him roaming alone in the locality around 11 pm on Monday night, with his behaviour appearing unusual, though no one anticipated a tragedy.
Discovery of the Body
Family members woke around 2 am to find his bed empty. Relatives and villagers immediately launched a search through the night, but the darkness and hilly terrain around the village hampered their efforts. The search resumed at dawn with additional help. Hours later, Mahto's body was discovered hanging from a tree on a nearby hill, sending shockwaves through the community.
Police Response and Investigation
A team from Patratu police station rushed to the spot upon receiving information, brought the body down, and completed preliminary legal formalities. The body was subsequently sent to Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination. Officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
Family Left Behind
Mahto is survived by his wife and two young sons, aged six and four. The incident has left the village grief-stricken. This case underscores growing concerns around mental health support for government and defence sector employees posted away from their families for extended periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kamal Kishore Mahto?
Kamal Kishore Mahto was a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) employee posted in Bengaluru. He was a native of Talatad Bhuiyan Tola in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand, and had returned home on leave in April 2025.
How was Kamal Kishore Mahto found?
His family discovered his bed empty around 2 am on Tuesday. After an overnight search, his body was found hanging from a tree on a nearby hill early on the morning of 19 May 2025.
What was his mental state before the incident?
According to family members, Mahto had been under severe mental stress and depression for several days and was also suffering from insomnia. Villagers noted he was seen roaming alone at around 11 pm the night before his body was found.
What action has the police taken?
A team from Patratu police station recovered the body, completed preliminary legal formalities, and sent it to Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination. An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the death.
Who does he leave behind?
Kamal Kishore Mahto is survived by his wife and two young sons, aged six and four.
