After 39 years at IIT, gardener commits suicide over gratuity

A retired gardener at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), who was embroiled in a legal dispute with the institute over a gratuity claim for the past several years, allegedly died by suicide in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

- MUSAB QAZI

Raman Garase, 65, was found hanging from a nylon rope tied to the window grille of his home at Tirandaj village across the street from IIT-B's Powai campus. His son as well as students at the institute claimed that he was distressed at the IIT-B administration's refusal to pay him gratuity despite his 39-yearlong service.

"He had filed a case for gratuity and had received a favourable order. I had asked him to not be bothered about it, as he was suffering from paralysis and couldn't even walk properly. He was, however, keen to get the amount as it was his hard-earned money.

He was depressed and would tell his friends how long does he have to wait. He would also fret about not being able to work after retirement as I was the only earning member in the household," said Sunil, Garase's son.