Aaj Tak Journalist Aakashdeep Shukla commits suicide amid alleged mental trauma, threats
In a tragic turn of events, Aakashdeep Shukla, a journalist associated with Aaj Tak, was reported to have died by suicide on Monday.
The journalist allegedly faced considerable mental distress due to what has been described as "constant threats of criminal cases" from his wife and her parents. This disturbing revelation was brought to light by journalist and filmmaker Deepika Bhardwaj.
Based in Delhi, Aakashdeep Shukla reportedly took his own life by hanging himself at his residence in the city. Deepika Bhardwaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey the unfortunate news, stating that Shukla "killed himself today." According to Bhardwaj's tweet, she had conversed with Shukla, who held the position of an assistant editor with Aaj Tak since 2021, on the previous day.
Bhardwaj asserted that Shukla had been enduring mental turmoil due to alleged mistreatment by his wife and her parents. She further alleged that Shukla's court marriage had occurred under pressure and that he had been subjected to continuous threats of legal action.
During their Sunday conversation, Bhardwaj indicated that she assured Shukla they would find a resolution to the situation. Tragically, it appears that the senior journalist took his own life despite this reassurance.
"I spoke to @JournoAakash for 20 mins y'day. He told me about the mental trauma he's facing because of his wife & her parents. He was under constant threats of criminal cases. His court marriage was also done under pressure. I told him we will sort it. BUT HE KILLED HIMSELF TODAY," Bhardwaj conveyed in her tweet.
A close friend of Shukla, Jagrati Shukla, informed the Free Press Journal that the journalist had been under "a lot of stress due to his personal life." According to Jagrati, Shukla and his wife engaged in a heated argument on Monday morning, witnessed by another friend. Following the argument, he allegedly secluded himself in his room and took his own life.
In a subsequent tweet, Deepika Bhardwaj disclosed details of the events leading up to Shukla's alleged suicide, including allegations of physical assault. Shukla apparently confided in Bhardwaj that his wife had tarnished his reputation on social media by using derogatory language.
"Akash shared that the woman he got married to had sullied his image by calling him names on social media. He couldn't afford to lose his career so he compromised & did court marriage. Now his father-in-law was pressurising him to do a social function, spend lacs when he didn't have that kind of money," Bhardwaj's tweet outlined. "He was in deep stress clearly & was worried for his parents. He also felt he was the one who had brought this problem on to them. There's so much more he shared. He was physically assaulted too when they had fights. I am unable to comprehend this." (SIC)
I spoke to @JournoAakash for 20 mins y'day. He told me about the mental trauma he's facing because of his wife & her parents. He was under constant threats of criminal cases. His court marriage was also done under pressure. I told him we will sort it. BUT HE KILLED HIMSELF TODAY pic.twitter.com/mBL26AIDHd
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) August 14, 2023
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Assam: 23,000 people affected by urban floods as IMD forecasts more rain
Guwahati (PTI): More than 23,000 people have been affected by urban floods in Assam as rains lashed several parts of the state, while the IMD warned of more showers, official sources said on Friday.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in its bulletin, said urban floods have been reported from the three districts of Kamrup (Metropolitan), Sribhumi and Cachar.
Four revenue circles and 12 villages have been inundated in these districts, affecting 23,619 people.
The worst-hit has been Cachar district, where 15,617 people have been affected, followed by Sribhumi with 8,002 flood-hit people, according to the bulletin.
There were no reports of deaths or people missing in the urban floods in the last 24 hours, the ASDMA said.
Fifty-three marooned people and three animals were rescued by a State Disaster Relief Force boat in Sribhumi district.
Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Guwahati, has issued an 'orange alert' for the four districts of Sribhumi, Hailakandi, Cachar and Dima Hasao for the next 24 hours.
An 'orange alert' implies 'be prepared to take action' and is sounded when thunderstorm and lightning accompanied with gusty wind reaching wind speed 30 to 40 kmph, with heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places.
'Yellow alert' to be on 'watch/be updated' has been issued for 20 districts -- Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Bajali, Tamulpur, Nalbari, both Kamrup districts, Udalguri, West Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Charaideo, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
Some of the districts on 'yellow alert' are likely to continue receiving heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms for the next couple of days, as per the RMC forecast.
