Youth’s death sparks outrage in Bhubaneswar; family alleges love-related pressure led to tragedy

A wave of shock and grief has swept through the Baramunda Dalit Sahi area of Odisha's capital city of Bhubaneswar after a 22-year-old youth was found dead under mysterious circumstances. 

The deceased, identified as Rahul Gochhayat, allegedly died due to emotional distress linked to a romantic relationship, according to his grieving family.

What Family Members Allege?

Rahul, a young man known in the locality for his calm nature and helpful attitude, was found lifeless under suspicious conditions late Monday evening. 

While the exact cause of his death remains unclear, his family alleged that he was under extreme emotional pressure due to a love affair. They claim that the girl involved may have exerted psychological pressure on him, pushing him into a state of helplessness.

Speaking to local media, Rahul’s sister said, “My brother was a bright and caring boy. He was in love, but things had turned bitter in the past few weeks. He was mentally disturbed, and we tried to support him, but we had no idea that it would end like this. We want justice for Rahul. He had asked me money to buy some food and later the incident occurred. The girl’s family claims that there was relationship.”

The incident has created a stir in the area, with residents expressing concern over the rising cases of youth being driven to such extremes due to emotional distress. “This is not just a personal tragedy. It reflects a larger issue — lack of emotional support and increasing pressure on young people. We demand a fair investigation,” said a local youth activist.

Meanwhile, police have begun a preliminary inquiry into the matter. While officers have confirmed that an unnatural death case has been registered, they have refrained from making any official statement regarding the cause of death or confirming the family's allegations. 

“The investigation is ongoing. We are awaiting the post-mortem report, which will shed more light on the matter,” said a police source.

However, the lack of an immediate and clear police response has only intensified public curiosity and frustration. Many in the community are calling for transparency in the investigation and psychological counselling support for affected families.

As Rahul’s body lies in silence, his untimely death raises haunting questions — was it just a personal heartbreak, or is there a deeper truth yet to be uncovered? And most importantly, how many more young lives must be lost before society begins to address emotional health with the seriousness it deserves?