New Delhi: In a shocking and deeply disturbing incident, Deepak Khoda, a 2015 batch Section Officer in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), attempted suicide by jumping from the 7th floor of Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has sent shockwaves across government circles and sparked widespread outrage over alleged workplace harassment within the central ministries.
The CSS Forum, the official representative body of CSS officers, has condemned the incident and called for a high-level, time-bound inquiry into the harassment allegations. The association has also extended legal and moral support to Mr Khoda, underlining the urgent need for improved workplace grievance mechanisms and mental health support in central ministries.
CSS Forum Steps In with Strong Condemnation
The incident has sparked widespread concern within bureaucratic circles. The CSS Forum has issued a strong public statement condemning the circumstances that led to this extreme act and has initiated steps to seek justice for Mr Khoda.
The CSS Forum has written an official letter to Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, seeking urgent intervention in the case.
Allegations of Harassment by Senior Officers
In the letter, which has been exclusively accessed by Indian Masterminds, the CSS Forum cited sustained harassment and undue pressure from senior officers as the primary cause that allegedly pushed Mr Khoda to this extreme step. The letter names two officials in particular:
- Ms Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, 1996 batch IAS officer and Additional Secretary in Ministry
- Mr Narender Singh, Deputy Secretary
According to Mr Khoda and his family, the working environment in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had become increasingly “hostile and distressing.”
Demands for Immediate Action Outlined
The letter from the CSS Forum laid out a clear list of demands directed to the Ministry and relevant authorities –
- Institution of a fair, impartial, and time-bound inquiry to ascertain the circumstances that led to Mr Khoda’s suicide attempt.
- Disciplinary action to be taken against the erring officer(s) based on the findings of the inquiry.
- Implementation of sensitization programmes and mental health support systems across all ministries to prevent such incidents in the future.
The forum further wrote –
“We humbly request your kind intervention to ensure that justice is done in this matter. Shri Khoda’s case is a painful reminder of the urgent need to safeguard the dignity, mental well-being, and safety of officers. We earnestly appeal to you to take immediate steps as outlined above, so that such tragedies may never be repeated and civil servants may perform their duties in a secure and dignified environment.”
Miraculous Survival After Fall
Mr Khoda, a 2015 batch CSS officer, survived the suicide attempt in what can only be described as a miraculous escape. After leaping from the 7th floor, he landed on a parked vehicle carrying water bottles, which cushioned the impact and likely saved his life.
He was immediately rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital via ambulance. Medical authorities later confirmed that he is stable and conscious, though he sustained a fractured hand. A whole-body scan was conducted to rule out any internal bleeding or hidden injuries, and doctors are continuing to monitor his condition.
Shocking Revelation in Written Statement from Hospital
In a written statement to the police, Mr Khoda made serious allegations against Ms Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, IAS, as well as Deputy Secretary Narender Singh. He accused them of mentally harassing him over the past six months and claimed he had been threatened with strict action just a day before the incident.
“I was under deep stress. On Sunday, they threatened me again. I was speaking to my wife over the phone while walking on the 7th floor. She was trying to console me, but I was so disturbed and unable to comprehend anything that I jumped off the building,” Mr Khoda’s statement reads.
Call for Mental Health Awareness in Government Workspaces
Beyond supporting Mr Khoda, the CSS Forum emphasized the broader need for systemic change, including stronger grievance redressal mechanisms and improved mental health awareness programs within central government departments.
The association affirmed its commitment to offering both moral and legal support to Mr Khoda and vowed to push for lasting reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
