Rohan Umak
Kanpur lawyer suicide: A 25-year-old man, who was a lawyer, allegedly jumped to death from the fifth floor of a courthouse in Kanpur on Thursday, the police said. The incident sent shockwaves though the legal fraternity, as well as the people residing in the area.
The man who took the extreme step has been identified as Priyanshu Srivastava. He reportedly shared a suicide note on WhatsApp, moments before the incident. In the note, he cited a troubled childhood, a strained relationship with his father and mounting personal pressures.
Post-incident, he was rushed to the Ursula Horsman Memorial Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Incident triggers panic on court premises
The incident triggered panic within the court premises, as a huge number of lawyers and staffers gathered at the site. The police arrived at the scene upon receiving information, cordoned off the area and set the probe in motion, while forensic teams began collecting evidence.
Man levels disturbing allegations in suicide note
Officials aware of the incident said Srivastava’s two-page-long suicide note detailed deep emotional distress and alleged trauma suffered during childhood. He claimed he had to endure strict and humiliating treatment at home, and described several incidents that allegedly left psychological scars on him.
In the note, he also reflected on his struggles in adulthood, including hurdles in clearing law examinations despite completing his LLB in 2025, financial strain and professional challenges linked to working under his father without independence.
Furthermore, he mentioned being pressured into academic decisions against his will during his days as a school student.
Kanpur lawyer suicide: Digital evidence under scanner
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Satyajeet Gupta said that digital evidence has been recovered in the case and is being examined closely. Meanwhile, Kanpur’s Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said that the cops are verifying the authenticity of the suicide note and are also reviewing CCTV footage from the court premises.
The police have seized Srivastava’s cell phone and are probing the incident further to establish the exact sequence of events, as well as additional contributory factors. Srivastava’s father, a practising lawyer, is distressed after the incident and has not been able to respond, sources said.
