A 25-year-old lawyer, Priyanshu Srivastava, allegedly took his own life by jumping from the fifth floor of a courthouse in Kanpur on Thursday, according to police reports. The tragic event reportedly occurred shortly after he posted a detailed suicide note on his WhatsApp status, outlining the severe impact of his childhood experiences and his father’s strictness on his mental health.

The incident unfolded around 8 am, triggering panic among those present at the courthouse as hundreds of fellow lawyers gathered at the scene. Priyanshu was swiftly taken to Ursula Horsman Memorial Hospital, where medical professionals pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Witnesses described the chaotic scene immediately following his fall, with law enforcement arriving to secure the area and initiate preliminary inquiries into the incident.

Details of the Suicide Note

In the note, Priyanshu expressed a deep sense of being monitored and disrespected by his father. He included the stark statement: “My father should not even touch my body,” indicating a profound estrangement from paternal authority. The two-page note elaborated on various distressing episodes from his childhood, including one instance where, at the age of six, he was allegedly forced out of the house by his father for consuming mango juice without approval.

These episodes were cited as contributing factors leading to his overwhelming feelings of guilt, humiliation, and inadequacy. The substance of the note suggested these early experiences had lasting psychological effects, with Priyanshu also detailing ongoing struggles in his adult life, such as difficulties with law examinations despite completing his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2025.

Moreover, he mentioned financial challenges and the pressures related to his father’s deteriorating health, which added to his stress. A noteworthy aspect of his account involved feeling coerced into making academic choices against his desires, specifically being compelled to pursue Computer studies instead of Physical Education, accompanied by threats of punishment.

Ongoing Investigation

The police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Priyanshu’s death, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Satyajeet Gupta, stating that both the suicide note and relevant digital evidence are under thorough examination. Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal confirmed that the note referenced various childhood incidents that allegedly had a significant psychological impact on Priyanshu.

Authorities have secured his mobile phone and are reviewing CCTV footage from the courthouse as part of their ongoing investigation. They are also verifying the authenticity of the handwriting in the suicide note, alongside other digital records to understand better the factors that may have led to this tragic incident.

The incident has raised considerable concern within the legal community in Uttar Pradesh, prompting swift reactions from members of the Bar Association and court personnel who arrived at the site shortly following the event. Meanwhile, Priyanshu’s father, who is also in the legal profession, has been reported as being in a state of deep distress and has not yet been available for comment.

As the investigation continues, authorities aim to uncover additional factors that may have contributed to the young lawyer’s untimely death and provide clarity on this tragic case.

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