Real Estate Businessman Ends Life After Emotional Facebook Live — Debt, Betrayal and a Desperate Plea
Real Estate Businessman Ends Life After Emotional Facebook Live — Debt, Betrayal and a Desperate Plea
A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday that has left the city of Lucknow stunned and grieving. In a heartbreaking sequence of events, 36-year-old real estate businessman Shahbaz Shakeel died by suicide at his office in Sainik Plaza near the Tedhipulia crossing, just minutes after an emotionally charged Facebook Live.
According to initial police reports, the incident took place around 3:30 PM within the Gudamba Police Station limits, when Shahbaz allegedly shot himself in the forehead using a licensed 12-bore gun. The weapon reportedly belonged to his personal guard.
Roughly 15 minutes before taking the extreme step, Shahbaz went live on Facebook for over 12 minutes. His voice choked with emotion as he spoke openly about the overwhelming financial stress he was under and revealed a debt of approximately ₹15 crore.
करोड़ों के कर्ज़ के बोझ से दबे युवक ने की आत्महत्या
— Aaj Ki Khabar (@AajKiKhabarNews) July 9, 2025
गुडंबा के रिंग रोड पर आवास में गोली मारकर की आत्महत्या
आत्महत्या से पहले युवक ने सलमान खान मुकेश अंबानी सहित तमाम बड़े लोगों से परिवार की मदद करने की गुहार लगाई
फेसबुक लाइव पर अपनी पीड़ा बयान कर शाहज़ेब शकील ने की आत्महत्या… pic.twitter.com/2shahNvO3S
In the live session, he also named individuals he believed had either supported or betrayed him in business, most notably mentioning a person identified as “LK Tomar”, whom he accused of harassing him and worsening his mental state.
Speaking directly to the public, Shahbaz said in the video:
“I love my children, my wife, my father, and my brother. But I can’t carry this burden anymore. I’ve tried everything I could… but now, there’s no way out.”
He emphasized that he had never committed any fraud, adding:
“Please, don’t torment my family after I’m gone. My only mistake was failed business, not dishonesty.”
In a desperate appeal, he called on national leaders and celebrities—Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as well as industrialist Mukesh Ambani and actors Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan—to help his family.
“If anyone can, please help my family with ₹30 crore so they can live with dignity,” he said.
Police say Shahbaz asked his guard, Chokhe Lal, to step out to buy a cold drink and instructed him to lock the door from outside—an act now seen as part of a carefully planned end. Once alone, he allegedly took the guard’s licensed shotgun and pulled the trigger.
The loud gunshot was heard shortly after. Shahbaz’s brother, Shahnawaz Shakeel, who had been watching the Facebook Live, immediately contacted the guard. By the time help arrived, it was too late—Shahbaz had already succumbed to a severe head injury and was lying in a pool of blood.
Shahbaz was a resident of Anand Tiles locality in Vikas Nagar and operated his real estate business just 200 meters from his home. He leaves behind a grieving family—his wife Nadia (34), and their three daughters, Akiba (6), Akida (4), and Abeera (3), along with his father Shakeel Ahmad and brother Shahnawaz.
As soon as the incident was reported, senior officers including ADCP East, ACP Ghazipur, and the SHO of Gudamba Police Station, along with a forensic team, rushed to the scene. The body was sent for post-mortem, and the scene was secured for evidence collection. Authorities recovered the gun, an empty cartridge, and Shahbaz’s mobile phone, which is now under examination.
Police officials have confirmed that the case is being treated as a suicide, but investigations are ongoing. They are closely reviewing Shahbaz’s social media activity, business documents, and the Facebook Live video, particularly the allegations he made against his partner. The individuals named in the broadcast are likely to be questioned in the coming days.
A Disturbing Pattern?
This tragic incident comes just nine days after another suicide in the city—when a cloth merchant, overwhelmed by business losses, ended his life along with his wife and teenage daughter by consuming poison.
Such back-to-back incidents have ignited a debate about the immense financial stress faced by small and mid-level entrepreneurs, as well as the urgent need for mental health support in the business community.
