Nagaur district official succumbs to severe burns after accusing the principal and staff of relentless mental torture and professional pressure
Nagaur: A 55-year-old school clerk, Ramsukh Meghwal, died this morning after setting himself on fire within the premises of a government school in the Pilwa area. The victim, who suffered 80 per cent burns, succumbed to his injuries at JLN Hospital in Ajmer. Before taking the extreme step, Meghwal reportedly accused the school principal, Seema Chandel, and other colleagues of systematic harassment. The incident has sent shockwaves through the education department, leading to the immediate suspension of the principal and a fellow teacher as the local police initiate a high-level probe into the allegations.
Tragedy at Pilwa Government School
The harrowing incident unfolded on Thursday when Ramsukh Meghwal reached the school premises and allegedly doused himself with petrol. According to Pilwa Station House Officer (SHO) Surajmal Chaudhary, the clerk immolated himself in broad daylight, leaving staff and students in a state of panic. He was rushed to a local medical facility before being shifted to Ajmer for specialized treatment. Despite medical efforts, his condition remained critical throughout the night, and he was pronounced dead early Friday morning, turning the workplace harassment complaint into a criminal investigation.
Principal and Staff Booked for Abetment of Suicide
Following the clerk's death, the Nagaur police have registered a formal case against Principal Seema Chandel and several other staff members. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Makrana) Raviraj Singh confirmed that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed based on the victim’s statements and complaints from his grieving relatives. The Education Department acted swiftly by placing the accused principal and another teacher under suspension pending the outcome of the judicial inquiry. The police are now recording statements from other school employees to determine the nature and duration of the alleged harassment.
Protests and Demands for Justice by Relatives
The death sparked tension in the area as relatives and community members initially refused to accept the body for the last rites. They demanded strict legal action against the accused, a government job for one of the dependents, and financial compensation for the victim's family. Following a detailed meeting with DSP Raviraj Singh and senior administrative officials, the family was assured of a fair and transparent investigation. A proposal for compensation and employment has been forwarded to the state government, after which the family proceeded with the post-mortem and funeral arrangements.
Workplace Mental Health and Safety Concerns
The self-immolation of a veteran clerk highlights the growing concerns over mental health and administrative pressure within government institutions. Colleagues, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that Meghwal had been under significant stress regarding departmental duties and interpersonal conflicts with the school leadership. While the authorities have provided helpline numbers for mental health support, activists are calling for a more robust grievance redressal mechanism within the Rajasthan education system to prevent such tragic outcomes of workplace disputes.
Official Investigation and Forensic Analysis
Police teams have cordoned off the site of the incident within the school for forensic analysis. Investigators are looking for any suicide notes or digital evidence on Meghwal’s mobile phone that could further substantiate the harassment claims. The state education board has also directed a separate internal audit of the school’s administrative records to check for any procedural lapses or unfair disciplinary actions taken against the deceased clerk. The results of the post-mortem and the FSL report are expected to be released early next week.
"The clerk accused the principal and other staff members of harassing him. We have registered a case, and the investigation is underway." — Surajmal Chaudhary, SHO Pilwa.
