Months After Suspension Over Namaz Row, UP Bus Conductor Dies By Suicide

Mohit, a contractual employee of Uttar Pradesh Roadways, was dismissed after a video went viral.

An Uttar Pradesh Roadways conductor Mohit Yadav, who was suspended earlier this year in June, died by suicide on 26 August.

(Photo: The Quint)

(Trigger warning: Mention of suicide. If you feel suicidal or know someone in distress, please reach out to them with kindness and call these numbers of local emergency services, helplines, and mental health NGOs.)

An Uttar Pradesh Roadways conductor Mohit Yadav, who was suspended earlier this year in June, died by suicide on 26 August.

The body of 32-year-old Mohit, a resident of Mainpuri, was found on the railway track away from his home. Mohit was suspended from his job as a conductor after a purported video went viral in June.

The video showed him stopping the Roadways' Janrath bus plying from Bareilly to Delhi so that two passengers could offer namaz. Taking cognizance of the matter, the transport department had suspended Mohit as well as the bus driver KP Singh.

Shortly after the incident, Mohit had said that two Muslim passengers had asked to stop the bus somewhere for two minutes to offer namaz.

"Other three passengers asked to stop the bus to urinate. At the same time, I asked those two passengers that while others are urinating, you can offer the namaz. Both of them returned by the time other passengers came back. However, one of the passengers made a video of the incident," Mohit had said.

'He Was Mentally Tortured'

Mohit's close friend told The Quint on condition of anonymity that Mohit's condition had worsened after his suspension. They also alleged that he was being harassed by Bareilly Roadways officials in the name of reinstatement.

Mohit Yadav

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

"Mohit's condition had worsened and he was worried. One day he said that he did not feel like living. I explained to him that he has just lost a job and not everything is over. I also promised to get him a job somewhere else. But he was mentally tortured by the officers. He was also in a lot of trouble financially. A few hours before dying by suicide, he gave me a number on which he asked me to do a recharge of Rs 239. That number was probably his wife's number."

Mohit Yadav's friend

The friend further claimed that Mohit had also filed an application with the transport department against his suspension. He was called several times but no conclusion could be reached.

Bareilly Depot Assistant Regional Manager SK Srivastava told The Quint, "Mohit's arbitration application came to us in July. A report was immediately prepared and sent to the Regional Manager's office. A date has been decided for arbitration and then a decision is taken."

Meanwhile, Regional Manager Deepak Chaudhary said that he was not aware of Mohit's death. "We have two and a half thousand employees. Information of individual employees are restricted to the depot level," he added.

Who Was Mohit Yadav?

Mohit was the only breadwinner in his family, and he is survived by two younger brothers and a sister. He was married to Rinki in 2013. He also has a 4-year-old son. His family members told The Quint that he had been under mental stress after being suspended from his job.

Mohit Yadav's home in Mainpuri.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

"My brother was the sole breadwinner in the house. He was the eldest of us siblings. He got a job in 2011. After the video went viral, he lost his job, which made him upset. After suspension, he couldn't find another job. He used to take care of the whole family. Right now, one of our sisters' marriage is left due to which he was under stress."

Rohit Yadav, Mohit's younger brother

"He [Mohit] told me that he will be going to Bareilly on Sunday (27 August), after which he was not seen. On searching the next morning, his body was found lying on the railway track," Rohit further added.

Mohit's wife Rinki alleged that regional manager Deepak Chaudhary repeatedly called Mohit to Bareilly but did not meet him.