Forest official commits suicide

A senior forest official
allegedly committed suicide after being stressed over a corruption probe against him, police said today.
Himmatrao Namdev Patil (58), Chief Forest conservator working in the Nashik office of Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (MFDC), hanged himself from a ceiling fan at his home here on Monday night, Ambad police station inspector D J Bhardekar told reporters here.
He was later rushed to a private hospital where he died last night, he said.
Patil left a suicide note which purportedly mentioned that he was taking the extreme step as he was fed up with the inquiry ordered against him by Anti-Corruption Bureau for alleged disproportionate assets which he feared would malign his image, he said.

Patil's daughter tried to call him on Monday night, but after he did not respond, she informed police.

Later, police reached the forest official's house, opened the door and found him hanging.
He was rushed to a private hospital, where he died at around 8.30 PM last night, Bhardekar said.
A case has been registered in this connection, police said, adding that further investigation was on.
Patil was to retire from MFDC after two months, Bhardekar added.