Nagpur: The Nagpur Police are planning an extensive mental health and stress-management initiative for their personnel following the alleged suicide of Assistant Police Inspector (API) Dnyaneshwar Jhol, 35, with senior officers being asked to ensure that personnel facing personal or professional difficulties do not suffer in silence.
Senior police officers said police personnel should feel free to approach their seniors with their concerns and assured that their problems would be heard and addressed.
“Personnel should approach their seniors with their problems. Their issues will be addressed,” senior police officer said, underlining the need for a more open and supportive environment within the police force.
The proposed drive is expected to focus on identifying early signs of stress, encouraging personnel to communicate their concerns and creating greater awareness about mental well-being. Senior officers may also be asked to maintain regular interaction with their teams so that behavioural changes or signs of distress can be identified at an early stage.
API Dnyaneshwar Jhol’s Death Raises Concern
The initiative comes days after Jhol, who was posted with the Applications and Protocol Branch of the Nagpur Police Commissionerate, allegedly died by suicide at the Gittikhadan police quarters around midnight on Saturday.
According to police, Jhol had returned home after duty and had dinner with his family. His wife later went to another room to put their two children to sleep. When she returned, she allegedly found Jhol hanging from a sari.
Family members and colleagues rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police said no suicide note was recovered from the spot and the exact reason behind his death remains unknown. Investigators are examining his activities, contacts and circumstances in the period preceding his death to determine whether any personal, family or work-related issue may have contributed to the extreme step.
Colleagues Reportedly Noticed Signs of Stress
The incident has also raised concerns among Jhol’s colleagues about mental stress within the police force. Some colleagues reportedly claimed that he appeared stressed during the week before his death but did not openly discuss his concerns.
The proposed mental health initiative is aimed at ensuring that such warning signs are not overlooked. The police are expected to encourage personnel to communicate their difficulties and seek support before stress or personal problems escalate.
The move is also likely to reinforce the role of senior officers in maintaining regular communication with their teams and creating an environment where police personnel can seek help without hesitation.
