According to the police, the 64-year-old had been ill and depressed for the past few years. He had problems with his hearing and eyesight, and also suffered from diabetes, officers said.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) former general secretary and party spokesperson Mahadev Shelar allegedly committed suicide at his Mulund residence on Saturday afternoon by hanging himself inside his study. Mulund police said they have found a suicide note which blamed ill-health for the extreme step. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son.
From a budding Congress worker who hailed from the erstwhile Girangaon, the textile mill area in central Mumbai, to being appointed MPCC general secretary and spokesperson, Shelar had come a long way. He was born in Wai taluka, Satara district, and was considered close to former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan.
According to the police, the 64-year-old had been ill and depressed for the past few years. He had problems with his hearing and eyesight, and also suffered from diabetes, officers said.
According to the police, on Saturday, Shelar went for his routine walk and had lunch at 1.30 pm. After his wife, Mangala, went to buy groceries, he went into his study at his apartment in Bilva Society at LBS Marg, Mulund.
"His wife opened the door with a duplicate key and did not find her husband in the hall," said a senior police officer from Mulund. "She then went inside the study, only to find him hanging by a nylon rope.
Shelar was rushed to Fortis Hospital, but declared dead before admission."
According to police, Shelar had been planning this for a while as the suicide note was dated 12 October. "He was depressed and had also spoken to family members about his health. We have recorded statements of his wife and son. His daughter, Meenal, is in USA and will be returning to India for the final rites," said the officer.
Akhilesh Singh, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 7, said, "We have registered an accidental death report and have also found a suicide note. The family does not suspect foul play, but we are probing further."
Shelar's son Mandar told DNA, "We are in a state of shock and we are co-operating with the police. We will be holding a funeral on Monday."
Shelar had ranked third in the Master of Law LLM exam at University of Mumbai and was employed with a public sector bank till he decided to devote his entire time for party work and was made state party secretary in 2000. He was elevated to general secretary in 2006. In 2007, he contested the BMC election and also the state Assembly poll in 2009. He was defeated in both elections.
Soft spoken and known for his calm nature, Shelar strongly defended the party during its difficult phase. He is remembered for giving his best when the Opposition accused the Congress of poor performance during its rule between 1999 and 2014. Even after the Congress party's rout, Shelar continued to appear on television regularly as a MPCC spokesperson.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Mahadev Shelar")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}