Delhi suicide: Married UP man, 47, sets himself ablaze after woman rejects proposal
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A 47-year-old married man from Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, died by suicide on Friday, 7 November 2026, after setting himself on fire inside a utensil factory in Wazirpur Industrial Area, northwest Delhi. The deceased, identified as Sandeep, left behind a suicide note in which he attributed his act to the breakdown of an alleged 'friendship' with a 20-year-old woman — the daughter of his close friend — who had rejected his marriage proposal moments before the incident.
What Led to the Incident
According to police, Sandeep had been a frequent visitor at a friend's home, during which he reportedly developed feelings for the friend's daughter. The young woman, who works at a utensil factory in the Wazirpur Industrial Area, lives independently in Delhi. Police said Sandeep had been in regular phone contact with her, but she had reportedly stopped responding to him for some time prior to the incident.
Disturbed by the breakdown in communication, Sandeep travelled to Delhi on Thursday. The following day, he arrived at the factory carrying two bottles of petrol and directly asked the woman to marry him. When she declined, he poured the petrol over himself and set himself ablaze, according to police.
Rescue and Declaration of Death
Factory workers who heard Sandeep's cries rushed to his aid and managed to extinguish the flames. He was immediately shifted to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The body has since been sent for a post-mortem examination, and the deceased's family in Uttar Pradesh has been informed. Sandeep is survived by his wife and two children.
Suicide Note and Woman's Statement
During the investigation, police recovered a suicide note in which Sandeep held the woman responsible for the collapse of what he described as their 'friendship' and explicitly linked it to his decision to end his life. The woman, however, has denied being in any romantic relationship with him, police confirmed. The case underscores a troubling pattern of one-sided attachments escalating to fatal consequences — a concern raised repeatedly by women's rights groups across India.
A Separate Incident in Kanpur
This incident follows a similar case earlier in the week. On Tuesday, a 25-year-old man reportedly died by suicide at the residence of his married girlfriend in Kanpur. According to reports, he had gone to meet her and was inside a room when her brother-in-law grew suspicious of someone's presence, reportedly prompting him to take his own life. Both cases remain under investigation by respective police departments.
Investigation Status
Delhi Police are continuing their investigation into the Wazirpur case. No arrest has been reported, and no case has been registered against the woman, who the police note was not in a relationship with the deceased. Further forensic and legal proceedings are expected to follow the post-mortem report.