Chhattisgarh: Constable’s Daughter Dies by Suicide After Shoplifting Allegations; Mart Owner Booked

A 17-year-old girl, the daughter of a police constable, allegedly died by suicide in Chhattisgarh's Koriya district after being accused of shoplifting cosmetics at a shopping mart. Police have registered a case against the mart owner and two others on charges including abetment of suicide and extortion, while the supermarket has been sealed as the investigation continues. According to police, the Class 11 student had visited IC Mart in Baikunthpur's Sanjay Chowk area with her younger sister on July 7 to purchase household items, as reported by TOI.

Investigators said the mart owner allegedly accused the teenager of attempting to steal cosmetic products, despite the sisters not having left the store with the items. The girl and her sister were allegedly made to write and sign a statement admitting to theft, after which their scooter was confiscated. Chhattisgarh Shocker: Man Kills Pregnant Wife With Hacksaw Blade in Surguja, Arrested.

Police said the owner allegedly told the sisters that the scooter would be returned only after money was paid. The teenager reportedly did not inform her family about the incident immediately, fearing she would be scolded, but shared the matter with an assistant sub-inspector known to her.

Teen Found Dead at Home

The following day, the girl's father, a police constable, learnt about the incident and visited the store. He alleged that the shop owner demanded INR 50,000 for returning the scooter. Later that afternoon, while the family was away, the teenager was found dead at their residence in the Police Lines area under Baikunthpur police station limits. Police suspect she died by suicide, and an investigation is underway to establish the complete sequence of events. Chhattisgarh Shocker: Man in One-Sided Love Tries to Eliminate Lover’s Husband by Hiding 2-Kg IED in Music Speaker; Alert Victim Foils Deadly Plot, Police Nab 7 Accused Including Mastermind.

Three Booked, Supermarket Sealed

Koriya police have booked three owners of the shopping mart—identified as Deepak Vaid, Vinod Vaid and Jagat Vaid—under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The charges include abetment of suicide of a child, extortion, robbery and other offences. Authorities have also sealed the supermarket, while a cyber forensic team has examined CCTV footage and other evidence collected from the premises.

Police Question Handling of Incident

Koriya Superintendent of Police Ravi Kumar Kurre said the mart owner had no authority to confiscate the scooter or deal with the matter independently instead of informing the police. According to the police, the teenager allegedly went into depression after being accused of theft and pressured over the return of the vehicle. Officials said the investigation will determine the role of each accused and whether further legal action is warranted.

Protests Demand Swift Action

The incident triggered protests by relatives of police personnel, who gathered outside Baikunthpur police station and briefly blocked a road, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. The demonstration ended after senior officials assured protesters that strict legal action would be taken. The case has sparked wider concern over the treatment of minors accused of wrongdoing and the need to follow lawful procedures while avoiding public humiliation, particularly in cases involving children.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers:

Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) – 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS – + 91 80 26995000 /5100 /5200 /5300 /5400; Peak Mind – 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation – 9999 666 555; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline – 080-23655557; iCALL – 022-25521111 and 9152987821; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) – 0832-2252525.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 10:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).