Panaji, Sep 21 (IBNS): A suspended Mines Department officer committed suicide by hanging from the ceiling at his Ponda residence in Goa early Friday morning.
 
Assistance Geologist Dattartrey Bhave’s body was found hanging by his family at about 7am.
 
He was among six mines officers including four assistance geologists suspended by the government earlier this month for their alleged involvement in the massive illegal mining scam in the state.
 
The suspensions came after the Justice Shah Commission report was tabled in the Parliament pointing out scam of more than Rs 35,000 crores.
 
Bhave's grieving family has alleged that Bhave was ‘mentally tortured and humiliated by his department after his suspension’.
 
The suicide has triggered a debate in political circles with Congress demanding to book Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, also Mines Minister for abetment to suicide.
 
Congress spokesperson Sudip Tamankar accused Parrikar of specifically targeting ‘honest officials’ in the Mines and Geology Department. 
 
Parrikar has ordered an inquiry into the suicide. He said, “Suspension is not punishment. It is to ensure that there is no evidence tampering.”
 
(Reporting by John Edwards)