Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, Ram Swaroop Sharma, 62, was found dead at his official residence in New Delhi on Wednesday, police said.
Police said that they received a call to the Police Control Room (PCR) around 7.45 a.m. regarding the incident. A team from the North Avenue Police Station had rushed to apartment complex. Mr. Sharma’s personal assistant had made the call. He informed the police that Mr. Sharma would wake up every day at 6.30 a.m. but on Wednesday, he (the personal assistant) had found Mr. Sharma’s room locked from inside. The assistant knocked repeatedly but did not receive any response. Thereafter, he informed the police.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Police broke open the gate. The body was brought down and taken to the RML (Ram Manohar Lohia) Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead,” said a police officer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Sharma was known to stay in Delhi with his personal assistant and cook. The officer said that no note had been recovered, medicines had been found in the room, and family members had been informed. Inquest proceedings have been initiated.
Prima facie, it appeared to be a case of suicide, the police said, adding that no suicide note had been found from the spot.
An inquiry was underway and the exact cause of his death would be ascertained after a post mortem examination, the police said.
“A medical board has been formed for the post mortem. The body has been handed over to family members. The last rites will be held in Himachal Pradesh,” added the officer.
Born at Jalpehar village in Mandi district on June 10, 1958, Mr. Sharma was twice elected Member of Parliament. He was elected to the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha from the Mandi Parliamentary constituency in 2014 and 2019 respectively.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers:Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health - 011-4076 9002, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. -7.30 p.m.)