A 28-year-old man allegedly died by suicide after setting himself on fire in Pimpalgaon Bahula on Wednesday evening following a massive Rs 16 lakh loss in the stock market. The deceased, identified as Rajendra Kolhe, hailed from Vitai in Chandwad taluka and was working in a private bank in Nashik.
According to police, Kolhe initially worked at a private investment firm and invested his money in the stock market instead of sending it home. However, after suffering heavy losses, he left the investment firm and took up a job at a private bank in Myco Circle. His financial troubles, coupled with outstanding debts, left him in severe distress.
On Mahashivratri, Kolhe visited Trimbakeshwar temple before stopping near Jyoti Vidyalaya in Pimpalgaon Bahula on his way back. He poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze while sitting on his bike. Locals immediately alerted the Satpur police, who rushed to the scene. By the time help arrived, Kolhe had sustained 90% burns, and his bike was completely gutted in the fire.
With no ambulance reaching the spot for over an hour, police and villagers wrapped Kolhe in a sheet and transported him to the district hospital in a police vehicle. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries late at night.
A case has been registered at Satpur police station, and further investigations are underway.