Assam Senior Official Shoots Himself In ICU Following Wife's Cancer Death

A senior official in the Assam Government reportedly took his own life at a hospital in Guwahati after his wife passed away following an extended illness, according to police reports

Siladitya Chetia, who served as the Home Secretary in the Assam Government and was a 2009-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, reportedly took his own life with his service revolver inside the ICU where his wife had just passed away.

His wife had been undergoing treatment for carcinoma in the fourth stage at a private hospital in the city for several days. Chetia had taken a leave of absence from his duties for the past four months to care for his wife during her illness.

Hitesh Baruah, director of Nemcare Hospital said that his wife was undergoing cancer treatment, and her condition was deteriorating.

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He added that Chetia arrived at the hospital and asked the attending doctor and nurse to leave him alone with his wife's body for a few moments after she died so he could offer prayers. Suddenly, they heard gunshots and quickly returned to find that he had shot himself. Despite their efforts to save his life, he did not survive his injuries.

Chetia had previously served as the Superintendant of Police (SP) of Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts in Assam. He also held the position of Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Assam Police before being appointed as the Home Secretary.

A police official told that Shiladitya Chetia had been emotionally distressed due to his wife's deteriorating health in recent days, and today's tragic incident occurred as a result. He had been staying at the hospital, caring for his wife.