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BARC scientist had no apparent problem

Kanchana Suggu in Bombay

A Bhabha Atomic Research Centre scientist, Dr A C Saxena (43), committed suicide at his residence in Anushakti Nagar, Bombay, on Thursday afternoon. He had been working with BARC since the past 24 years.

Holder of a doctorate in Plasma Physics, Dr Saxena was in the training division and taught Applied Physics. He was also in charge of co-ordinating courses for students from abroad.

Dr Saxena hanged himself using his wife's dupatta. His body was discovered around 1330 hours (IST) on Thursday afternoon when his 12-year-old son returned from school along with Mrs Saxena's uncle.

The police, BARC hospital officials as well as Dr Saxena's office were informed immediately. Dr Pankajam Vaidya, a doctor in a dispensary close to the Saxenas' home, was sent by hospital officials to confirm the death. She reached the residence at 1430 hours, an hour after the body was found.

Vaidya refused to disclose any detail about the case. The body was taken to Rajawadi Hospital for post-mortem and later to the Chembur crematorium.

The post-mortem report confirmed hanging as the cause of death. The time of death is not mentioned in the report. Police do not suspect foul play. "We cannot say anything at this stage because an enquiry is on. It should be completed by Monday or Tuesday," said Senior Inspector V P Kadam of Trombay police station.

Neighbours and relatives, while expressing shock over the incident, said that the Saxenas were a very happy couple and there was absolutely no problem as far as their marriage was concerned.

A neighbour who has known the family for the past 14 years said, "I have known Mrs Saxena since a long time. I can say for sure that there was no problem at home. It was a happy marriage. He might have had some problem at work."

However, Dr S P Garg, head of the training division, who has been working with Saxena for the past one year, disagrees. "Saxena was doing very well at work. He was getting above-average promotions. He was very hard-working and had, in fact, just completed an assignment."

Apparently, Saxena had not been going to office since Monday. "I spoke to him on Wednesday night and he said that he was feeling slightly feverish and that he would come on Thursday morning. I waited till 1200 hours on Thursday and then rang up. There was no response", says Garg.

Dr Saxena was at the Independence Day celebrations of the building on Tuesday. Since the house they live in belongs to BARC, Mrs Saxena will soon have to vacate it. She is a teacher in a municipal school in Sion. The Saxenas' 12-year-old son is studying in the eighth standard in BARC school.

Garg added that BARC, especially the training department, would do everything possible to help the family.

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