Rajasthan: Elderly Waste Collector Hangs Himself to Death From Tree in Lohawat After Viral Instagram Reel Draws Relentless Mockery From Youths, Investigation Underway
In a heartbreaking incident in Lohawat village, Rajasthan, an elderly waste collector known as Pratap Singh, or "Babaji," died by suicide after becoming the subject of the Instagram reel that went viral and subsequently led to widespread ridicule and harassment.
Lohawat, June 24: In a heartbreaking incident in Lohawat village, Rajasthan, an elderly waste collector known as Pratap Singh, or "Babaji," died by suicide after becoming the subject of the Instagram reel that went viral and subsequently led to widespread ridicule and harassment. Known affectionately as "Babaji," Singh’s daily task of collecting plastic bottles and waste became a cruel spectacle for the village's youth, whose relentless ridicule drove him to take such drastic action by hanging himself from a tree near the Phalodi State Highway in Jodhpur.
According to a report by Times Now, during an encounter with a Japanese tourist named Meguni a few months ago, Singh was captured responding to an offer of help with "Bhangaaar Leveno Hai Thore" (Do you want to buy some waste?) The video shared on Instagram soon went viral, drawing relentless mockery from village youths. The youths repeatedly posted videos and memes on social media, ridiculing Singh and amplifying his unwanted fame. Rajasthan Shocker: Depressed Over Husband’s Death, Woman Dies by Suicide by Jumping Into Canal in Kota.
As the videos gained traction online, Singh reportedly became increasingly distressed and isolated. The relentless mockery and unwanted attention pushed him into a state of deep despair. This culminated tragically when, on a Sunday, June 23, near the Phalodi State Highway, Singh abandoned his handcart before hanging himself from a tree. As per a report by NDTV, passersby discovered Singh's body, but instead of intervening, some witnesses fled the scene. Rajasthan Shocker: Day Before Exam, NEET Aspirant Dies by Suicide by Hanging Himself in Bharatpur.
As per the reports, by the time the local police were alerted and arrived, Singh had already suffocated to death. They initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, registering a case to ascertain responsibility for the tragic outcome. Singh's identity was verified through documents found on him, identifying him as Pratapram Chauhatan from Barmer district. The viral videos have since been removed from social media platforms, but the incident has left a profound impact on the community.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2024 04:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).