Mental Distress and Family Pressure: Inside Ritumoni Roy’s Tragic Demise

Preliminary investigations into the death of Guwahati-based journalist Ritumoni Roy have revealed that she had been struggling with mental distress and financial difficulties in recent times, according to police sources.

Roy, who was anxious about her upcoming wedding, had reportedly been pressured by her family for money, adding to her stress.

The Guwahati police are looking into her personal and professional life to determine the circumstances leading to the tragic incident.

Notably, the young journalist, Ritumoni Roy, was found dead inside the Christian Basti office of the digital news portal Sach The Reality last Monday morning, sending shockwaves across Guwahati’s media community.

Roy was a resident of Kahilipara and worked at the English and Hindi desk of the portal. She reportedly arrived for duty on the evening of November 23 but did not return home afterward. Her body was discovered the next morning on the third floor of Purvoday Building, where the office is located.

A brief note recovered from the scene read:

“A decision made for everyone’s good. Stay happy, all of you… Sorry.”

Investigators described the note as cryptic, saying it could not, on its own, determine the cause of death. The handwritten message also contained a phone number—apparently belonging to her father—which she is believed to have written before allegedly taking her own life.

Owner’s Statement From Abroad

Media outlets earlier quoted the portal owner, Shubham Agarwal, who was in Azerbaijan at the time of her shocking demise. He expressed shock and shared details based on CCTV footage accessed remotely.

Agarwal said Ritumoni appeared to follow her usual routine upon entering the office—placing her bag down and preparing her workspace—before stepping onto a chair placed over a table. She allegedly used a rope-like shawl she had brought with her. The CCTV footage reportedly showed she struggled for several minutes before the act was completed.

“It was extremely painful to watch,” Agarwal said.

He described Ritumoni as an “exceptionally dedicated employee,” recalling that she had once been honoured as the best performer in the office. “She was very hardworking and always professional,” he said.

He further revealed that her marriage was fixed for December 5, with the office already having received the invitation card. “It is shocking to learn that she died by suicide at the office itself,” he added.

Agarwal also said that he had asked Ritumoni if she was under stress. She reportedly mentioned only minor anxiety related to her upcoming wedding and occasional gallbladder pain, without hinting at anything serious. He emphasised that the office functioned strictly professionally and that there was “no personal relationship, only professional engagement.”

He instructed the editor to immediately file an FIR and urged a full police investigation, adding, “My scheduled return is on November 28. I am trying to return as soon as possible.”

Personal and Family Background

Ritumoni had reportedly married Deep Borah of Nagaon in 2024 and had been living with him in a rented accommodation, probably in Hatigaon in Guwahati city. Investigators also noted that for work-related purposes, she had occasionally visited several places with Shubham Agarwal (owner) earlier.

Police are examining CCTV footage, call records, and digital footprints. Statements from colleagues, friends, and family members are being recorded to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.

Despite the shocking nature of the case, authorities confirmed that no FIR has been filed yet—neither by the family nor by the news portal. “We cannot initiate major steps without a formal complaint,” a senior officer said.

The investigation is ongoing, and city police are exploring all possibilities to understand what led to this tragic event.

Also Read: Financial Dispute, Emotional Breakdown, Unanswered Calls: What Troubled Ritumoni?