MNS activist allegedly commits suicide over ED notice to Raj Thackeray
Although police found no suicide note, MNS leaders claimed that Pravin Chowgule took the extreme step as he was “depressed and angry” over ED’s notice (Pravin Chowgule/Facebook)
An MNS activist from Thane allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday over the Enforcement Directorate’s notice to party chief Raj Thackeray.
While MNS leaders have claimed that Pravin Chowgule ended his life over the notice, police said no suicide note was found and launched a probe to ascertain the reason for the extreme step.
Chowgule was employed with a private firm and was a staunch supporter of the MNS chief. Since the news of the summons made headlines, the 27-year-old had been actively sharing posts on social media in support of Thackeray.
The deceased was an alcoholic and used to be frequently depressed, police sub-inspector Mahesh Kawde was quoted as saying.
Chowgule allegedly doused himself with kerosene and set himself afire at his residence in Vitawa near Kalwa, Thane around 10 pm on Tuesday.
When some of his neighbours saw smoke emanating from his house, they rushed there and took him to a local hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
“No suicide note was found at the spot,” Kawde said, adding that the police registered a case of accidental death and a probe was underway.
He said Chowgule lived alone and used to work as a tourist car operator. “He used to be frequently depressed and was a liquor addict. He had earlier also attempted suicide on two-three occasions,” the official said.
However, MNS Thane unit spokesman Nainesh Patankar said Chowgule took the extreme step as he was “depressed and angry” over the ED’s notice to Raj Thackeray.
Prior to committing suicide, Chowgule expressed concern over this in posts on his Facebook page, Patankar said.
After getting information about his death, several MNS leaders and activists rushed to the hospital around midnight.
The ED summoned Raj Thackeray in connection with alleged irregularities related to loans and equity investment by Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) in Kohinoor CTNL, which is developing Kohinoor Square tower in Dadar.
The MNS chief has said that he intends to honour the ED’s summon and asked the party workers to maintain peace. However, a large number of activists are expected to accompany him to the agency’s office in a show of strength.
