Nearly two weeks after a Buddhist monk was found dead in mysterious circumstances in Mumbai in a suspected case of murder, another ascetic belonging to the same religion committed suicide in suburban Deonar on Friday.
"Bhadant Kashyap, 40, from Latur committed suicide by consuming pesticide at his residence near the Deonar abbatoir," Additional Commissioner of Police Hemant Nagrale told PTI.
Kashyap has left a suicide note in Marathi which stated that he was committing suicide to ensure that those arrested for the "murder" of Buddhist monk Bhadant Sanghraj Thairo should receive strong punishment, Nagrale said.
He was sent to Sion hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Monk Bhadant Sanghraj Thairo was found dead at his house in the same area on January 6 after which the city witnessed sporadic violent protests.
The police had initially registered a suicide case but later recorded a murder case and arrested four persons were arrested.
Thairo, local residents claimed, had been murdered for opposing a slum redevelopment project in the area.
There was however no report of violence after Friday's incident, Nagrale said.
"The situation in the area is under control and we are keeping vigil and taking all necessary precautions," he said.