|
Punjab IAS officer commits suicide
WSN Network
CHANDIGARH:
In a
rather shocking incident, a senior Punjab IAS officer who enjoyed a
reputation for efficiency and honesty, A.S. Chhatwal, committed
suicide by hanging from a fan at his official residence inside the
heavily guarded posh official housing complex in Chandigarh’s Sector
39 on Monday night. Chatwal, who was Secretary, Science and
Technology, Non-Conventional Energy was earlier handling NRI affairs
and was instrumental in holding the NRI Sammelan after the Badal
government came to power. He was 48.
UT Finance
Secretary Sanjay Kumar, a neighbour, first heard Chatwal’s wife’s
screams around
8.15 pm,
and rushed to the house. He helped the family bring down Chhatwal by
cutting the rope.
He was rushed to
PGI, where doctors led by Director K.K. Talwar made efforts for over
an hour to revive him, but in vain. As per a suicide note, Chhatwal
was in depression and has said no one should be blamed for his
death. Sources said the 1986 batch IAS officer was under stress
owing to family reasons. He is survived by his wife and a daughter,
both doctors. There were several missed calls on his mobile after
6.30 pm.
CM Parkash Singh Badal termed the deathas a very painful incident
and untimely. Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh described him as a
very sober officer. Chhatwal remained on very important posts in the
Punjab
government. He was Secretary, Power, PUDA chief besides being the
Principal Secretary to Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa when he
was Union Chemical and Fertiliser Minister during the NDA
government.
22
October 2008
|
Read Also