Guwahati, Assam: The tragic death of 30-year-old Assistant Engineer Joshita Das in Bongaigaon has taken a significant turn, with Congress Legislature Party Leader Debabrata Saikia urging Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya to initiate a central agency investigation, ideally by the CBI. Saikia’s detailed letter to the Governor highlights what he describes as a deeply disturbing case of workplace harassment leading to the young Public Works Department (PWD) officer’s alleged suicide.
Joshita Das, posted in Bongaigaon, was discovered dead in her rented Barpara accommodation on July 21, 2025. A handwritten suicide note reportedly found at the scene implicates two senior PWD officials, accusing them of persistent harassment, coercion, and repeated demands to compromise on construction quality for a government project. The note specifically references the “Mini Stadium at Borsojgaon,” a project under Bongaigaon LAC being implemented with M/s Achetic Creations, alleging a lack of approved architectural plans and inflated invoices. Furthermore, the note details threats of disciplinary transfers and a distinct lack of administrative support, which compounded her mental distress.
Following Joshita’s mother filing a police complaint, the two accused officials have been arrested under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. However, Saikia expressed strong reservations about a mere departmental enquiry by the State Government, citing fears of bias, evidence suppression, and potential influence from powerful individuals connected to the case. He underscored the necessity of accountability and transparency, referencing Supreme Court precedents such as Tehseen S. Poonawalla vs. Union of India, Nilabati Behera vs. State of Odisha, and D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal, to emphasize the protection of fundamental rights under Article 21 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Beyond the immediate case, Saikia pressed the Governor to recommend a CBI inquiry to ensure a comprehensive, unbiased investigation immune to local pressures. He also appealed for financial compensation for the victim’s family, aligning with constitutional provisions and landmark judicial pronouncements on custodial and administrative accountability. Additionally, Saikia called for a broader investigation into potential financial irregularities across at least 40 mini-stadium projects being executed throughout Assam under the NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance (NIDA) scheme, expressing concern over systemic flaws and potential misuse of public funds that require urgent high-level redressal.