Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a significant announcement on Thursday, July 31, 2025. He stated that the Assam Cabinet has approved the handover of the investigation into the suspected suicide case of an Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Guwahati: The suspected suicide of a female Assistant Engineer in Assam's Public Works Department (PWD) has caused a sensation in the state. The investigation into this sensitive and serious case will now be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made this announcement on Thursday, July 31, after a cabinet meeting.
What is the whole matter?
On July 22, 2025, a female Assistant Engineer of the PWD was found dead in her rented apartment in the Bongaigaon district. Initial investigations and circumstantial evidence suggest that she committed suicide. The suicide is reportedly linked to immense mental pressure related to a construction project.
It is being said that this pressure was being exerted to overlook alleged corruption in the construction of a mini-stadium in Bongaigaon. The engineer's suicide has raised serious questions about transparency in the government machinery and the safety of women officers.
What did the Chief Minister say?
Addressing the media in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "The case of the death of the female PWD engineer in Bongaigaon is extremely sensitive. After the initial investigation, the cabinet has decided that the CBI will now investigate it so that impartiality is maintained." The Chief Minister informed that the state government had already constituted a 7-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has gathered several important clues so far. Forensic, post-mortem, Call Detail Record (CDR) analysis and other preliminary investigations have been completed.
What has emerged in the investigation so far?
- Important evidence has been collected from the scene through videography and forensic investigation.
- Three accused have been arrested.
- Notices have also been issued under the sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
- CDR analysis indicates that the deceased engineer was under constant mental pressure.
Why was a CBI investigation necessary?
Chief Minister Sarma said that considering the possibility of inter-state relations and the potential involvement of higher officials in this matter, it had become necessary to have it investigated by an independent and impartial agency like the CBI. He also said that: "This step has been taken in view of the widespread public concern. No guilty person will be spared, no matter what position they hold."
This case has also given the opposition an opportunity to attack the government. The Congress party had written a letter to Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya demanding a CBI inquiry or an impartial inquiry by another independent central agency into this suicide. Congress leaders alleged that the female engineer had to pay the price for raising her voice against the corruption prevailing in the government machinery. They also demanded support for the safety and mental health of women officers in the workplaces.
Other important decisions of the Cabinet
Apart from this sensitive issue, Chief Minister Sarma also shared information about other important decisions of the Cabinet:
- The scope of the Chief Minister's Jivan Prerana Yojana has been expanded so that more assistance can be provided to the needy.
- A water project worth ₹49.588 crore has been approved to provide 24-hour drinking water supply to Badarpur city from the Barak River.
- In the event of accidental death of Swajal Mitras and Jal Sahayaks, an ex-gratia amount of ₹5 lakh will be provided to their family members.
- Permanent settlement of land will be done for 1,742 indigenous landless families living in the periphery of Dhemaji city.
This suicide case has highlighted the mental pressure, administrative corruption, and workplace challenges faced by women employees within the government system.
