GUWAHATI: Shiladitya Chetia, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving as the Secretary of Home and Political departments in the Assam government, died by suicide on Tuesday.
Confirming the news, Assam DGP GP Singh, expressed deep sorrow over the officer’s untimely death and informed that Chetia took the extreme step following the death of his wife who had been battling cancer.
“In an unfortunate turn of events, Shiladitya Chetia, Secretary Home and Political Government of Assam, took his own life this evening, a few minutes after the attending physician declared the death of his wife who was battling cancer for a long time. Entire Assam Police family is in deep grief,” DGP Singh wrote on his social media handle.
Reports indicate that Chetia, a 2009 batch IPS officer, had been on leave for the past four months, presumably to care for and cope with his wife’s prolonged illness.
He allegedly shot himself with his service weapon inside Nemcare Hospital where his wife died, several media organisations reported.
Before assuming his role as Secretary in the Assam government, Chetia had served with distinction as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts.
The news of Chetia’s passing has deeply saddened the Assam Police fraternity and the wider community, reflecting on the impact of personal tragedy on individuals serving in demanding public roles.
The Assam Police continue to investigate to ascertain the full circumstances leading to this tragic loss.
