Assam: CM Sarma Announces CBI Probe in PWD Engineer Joshita Das Suicide Case

Guwahati: In a major development in the suicide case of PWD engineer Joshita Das, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that the state government has formally decided to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a special investigation.

Addressing the media during a press meet in Guwahati, the Chief Minister said that the cabinet has already made the recommendation and the CBI has agreed to take up the case. “The CBI will conduct an independent investigation to ensure justice for the deceased and to uncover the deeper layers of corruption or irregularities that may exist within the system,” Sarma stated.

He added that while the CBI has agreed to the takeover in principle, the official process will take approximately 20 to 25 days as approval from the Union Home Ministry is required. “We will try our best to speed up the process. This is a serious matter, and the government will not tolerate harassment or misuse of authority within the administration,” the CM said.

Joshita Das, a 30-year-old assistant engineer with the Public Works Department in Bongaigaon, was found dead in her rented house on Thursday. A handwritten suicide note alleged mental harassment by two senior officials  Sub-Divisional Officer Aminul Islam and Executive Engineer Dinesh Medhi who were reportedly pressuring her to clear inflated bills related to a mini-stadium construction project.

Both officials were arrested by Bongaigaon police soon after the suicide note surfaced. The case has since sparked widespread outrage, with civil society groups, engineers’ associations, and women’s rights bodies demanding a fair and transparent investigation.

The CM further mentioned that the cabinet’s decision reflects the state’s resolve to act decisively against internal malpractice. “This is not just about one case. We want to ensure that no young officer feels helpless or unsafe in carrying out their duties,” he said.

With the CBI set to take over, the investigation is expected to look into broader issues of administrative pressure, corruption in project execution, and accountability of senior officials.

The state government has also assured full cooperation to the central agency once the handover is complete.