A 35-year-old resident of New Panvel, Saurabh Raju Mishra, died by suicide on 2 February 2026, allegedly after consuming a poisonous pesticide at his home amid prolonged marital discord and related legal battles, police sources confirm.

The Khandeshwar police discovered a suicide note in which Mishra apologised to his parents and said he had been subjected to “harassment” in connection with a court case with his estranged wife, even as he maintained his innocence.

His parents found him unconscious on returning from a visit to their native village and rushed him to the Panvel sub-district hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Authorities have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), sent seized materials for forensic analysis, and say investigations are ongoing to determine any further contributing factors.

Family Dispute, Legal Stress: What Police Reported

Police investigators said Mishra had been married in 2022, and that the couple’s relationship deteriorated within months, ultimately leading to legal proceedings that he found deeply stressful. On the morning of 2 February, while his parents were away at their native village, Mishra allegedly consumed a poisonous pesticide at his residence in the Cosmos Co-operative Housing Society in Sector 7 of New Panvel.

His parents returned later in the morning to find him unconscious and immediately called for medical help, but he could not be saved.

During the spot panchnama, Khandeshwar police recovered a bottle of pesticide and a suicide note purportedly written by Mishra. According to the note, he expressed apologies to his parents and referenced feeling harassed – including caught up in legal wrangles that had taken a psychological toll on him.

While local police officials have not detailed the exact nature of the legal claims, they indicated that his separation from his wife and the stress of ongoing court matters were likely contributing factors.

Senior Police Inspector Smita Dhakane of Khandeshwar police station told reporters that authorities had registered an ADR and sent the suicide note and the pesticide bottle for forensic examination.

She stated that investigations were continuing and that police were in the process of speaking with family members and reviewing the case history to understand the full context.

The length of Mishra’s marriage is reported to have been brief – about three months – before separation and legal disputes followed.

Matrimonial Disputes and Mental Health: A Widening Conversation

The tragic death of Mishra comes amidst broader societal debate in India about the emotional toll of marital disputes, the functioning of family courts, and access to mental health care.

Experts say that while protective laws aimed at addressing domestic abuse and dowry harassment play an essential role, they can also burden individuals emotionally if cases become prolonged and adversarial.

Family law advocates note that many parties affected by such disputes – husbands and wives alike – often go through sustained psychological stress, anxiety, and depression.

Mental health professionals also highlight the pervasive stigma associated with seeking emotional support, especially in the context of marital breakdown. According to research and practitioner accounts, men in particular may feel pressured to internalise distress, which can lead to isolation and reluctance to reach out for counselling or therapy.

Timely intervention by mental health services, mediation, and community support are seen by experts as essential complements to legal remedies in resolving personal and family conflicts.

In recent years, India has seen several high-profile cases involving suicide or self-harm linked to marital disputes and legal pressures – from civil suits to defamation and dowry allegations – that have sparked discussions about the need for time-bound processes, counselling, and more robust safeguards for all parties involved. (Not specific to this case but contextual for policy conversations.)

Officials’ Statements and Next Steps

Officials have emphasised that while an ADR has been filed, no conclusions can yet be drawn about culpability or motive beyond initial findings. “The suicide note and seized items have been sent for forensic examination, and further investigations are underway to ascertain if there were any other factors involved,” Senior Inspector Smita Dhakane said.

She reiterated that police are following investigative protocols and will only comment further upon completion of forensic results and additional statements from family members.

Legal experts consulted by journalists stress the importance of awaiting forensic results before speculating on underlying causes or legal consequences. Family law practitioners also advocate that such personal tragedies call for strengthening mental health outreach, especially for individuals enmeshed in emotionally fraught litigation.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Every life lost to despair is a reminder that justice must be not only lawful, but also humane. While safeguarding victims of abuse is non-negotiable, it is equally important to ensure that legal processes do not become emotionally crushing for any individual.

The Logical Indian believes this tragedy underscores the urgent need for mental health support, fair investigation, and compassionate dialogue within the justice system.