Assam Cabinet Approves CBI Probe into PWD Engineer’s Suspected Suicide

GUWAHATI: The Assam state cabinet has approved the transfer of the investigation into the suspected suicide of a Public Works Department (PWD) assistant engineer to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday

The deceased, Joshita Das, aged around 30 and serving in the Bongaigaon sub‑division, was found dead in her rented accommodation on July 21. Authorities believe she died by suicide after reportedly being pressured by senior officials to clear fraudulent bills. A handwritten suicide note recovered from the scene named two officials and described months of workplace coercion and mental distress

Following the incident, the government constituted a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). The team completed key formalities including site videography, forensic analysis, inquest, post-mortem examination, call detail record (CDR) analysis, and evidence seizure. So far, three individuals have been arrested, and legal notices were issued under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 

CM Sarma explained that due to public concern and the potential for inter-state links, the cabinet has decided to entrust the case to the CBI. Though procedural approvals—such as clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs—are pending, informal communication has already taken place between Assam’s chief secretary and the CBI director. The formal handover is expected to take 20–25 days.

In the same meeting, the Assam Cabinet also approved several other key measures:

• Expansion of the Chief Minister’s Jibon Anuprerana Scheme to include current full-time research scholars (including Divyang scholars) enrolled in public institutions in Assam from April 2021 onward. This move increases potential beneficiaries from 1,300 to 9,953, with a revised budget of ₹26.21 crore

• Round-the-clock tap water supply approval for Badarpur town from the Barak River under the town’s water scheme

• Ex-gratia assistance of ₹5 lakh to be provided to the next of kin of SwaJal Mitra/Jal Sahayak staff who die in service—part of enhanced welfare measures

• Inclusion of Ahom, Matak, Moran, Chutia, Gorkha, tea garden and Adivasi communities in the list of protected persons in Assam’s Tirap tribal belt, enabling land settlement for over 20,000 individuals residing there prior to 2011.