‘Don’t Switch on Lights’: Mumbai Man Dies After Inhaling Toxic Gas, Leaves Warning for Cops

The man had succumbed to the effects of inhaling toxic gas from a cylinder.

On Tuesday, a woman from Bengaluru sent an email to the official address of the Mumbai police commissioner, requesting an investigation into her brother’s disappearance. The family had not heard from him since Saturday, and all efforts to reach him since then had been unsuccessful.

The investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch traced his mobile phone to Kaman in Vasai, after which the Naigaon police assumed control of the case.

When the police arrived at the scene on Wednesday, they encountered an unusual sight at an old bungalow nestled among industrial warehouses in Kaman. A warning note was affixed to the entrance door of the bungalow.

The note was very brief, it said, “Carbon monoxide inside; don’t switch on the lights.”

Additionally, a foul odor was emanating from inside the building. The police promptly requested assistance from the fire department. Upon their arrival and entry, they discovered the lifeless body of a 27-year-old man. It was clear that he had succumbed to the effects of inhaling toxic gas from a cylinder.

Authorities suspect that he took his own life, as he was discovered with an inhalation mask connected to a carbon monoxide cylinder, along with a suicide note affixed to the wall near his bed. Additionally, the cylinders were systematically organized; he had secured two cylinders to each of his hands and donned a helmet. A tube linked to the gas cylinder was positioned in his mouth via a nebulizer designed for respiration. This setup allowed the toxic gas to be inhaled into his system.

Authorities have filed a case of accidental death and are currently investigating the source from which he obtained the gas cylinders.

The deceased had worked with a carpenter to seal the house’s windows, ensuring that gas would not leak unintentionally. Rohit Vishwakarma, the carpenter allegedly contracted by the deceased to secure the house, informed the police that he was requested to perform this task two days prior. His statement has been documented by the authorities.

Neighbors informed the police that the man had been living in the Vasai bungalow for a year. It was later revealed that he previously resided in Powai and was employed at a bank in that area.

To safeguard against the lethal gas, the firefighters, equipped with personal protective equipment and breathing apparatus, forced their way into the bedroom using a hydraulic spreader cutter.

 “He took precautions to ensure that no one was harmed. He had written clear instructions on how to enter the bedroom, and had shut the windows with wooden planks,” says the Police.

Assistant Police Inspector Balaram Palkar from Naigaon Police Station reported that the suicide note expressed gratitude towards his family for their support. However, the note also revealed that he made the tragic decision to take his own life due to ongoing physical and mental health issues that had persisted for the past year and a half, which he felt were incurable and had hindered his ability to work and enjoy a fulfilling life.

He was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy and neuropathy, a chronic medical condition that had deteriorated over the past year and a half. He mentioned that he had sought help from numerous doctors without finding any relief, and the condition was jeopardizing both his employment and overall quality of life.

“In the last 1.5 years, my family and everyone around me have been a source of absolute support and helped me in every way possible. No one was aware that I would take such a step, and it might come as a shock to my loved ones. However, the level of misery I have endured has left me with no choice. No person is responsible for this. Everyone has supported me very well. No one shall be held responsible for this. Thank you, everyone,” says his suicide note.