Cops foil suicide bid, save woman

It was a scene straight out of a Hollywood cliffhanger when Mumbai Police officers on Friday prevented a 32-year-old woman from committing suicide by jumping off the 18th floor of a construction site in Wadala (West).

According to RAK Marg police, they received a call at about 10:30 am on Friday from a local resident who had spotted a woman trying to jump off an under-construction building. The police then rushed to the spot, along with the fire brigade.

The police then tried to stop her from taking the extreme step. When they reached the 18th floor, the woman warned them against coming closer, failing which she would jump off.

Inspector Shalini Sharma, who is trained in hostage negotiation and to handle crisis situations, was given the task of negotiating with the jumper. "Sharma managed to engage the girl in dialogue and persuaded her not to end her life. The operation lasted three hours. She was finally rescued at around 3.30 pm. After counseling her, her parents were informed and she was admitted to hospital," said Bhagwat Bansod, Senior Police Inspector of RAK Marg police station.

"The lady later claimed that she was not trying to commit suicide but had gone to the building to click a few photographs. When she saw police, she thought she would be arrested as someone might have complained (against her) for entering the building," said Bansod.

The woman has studied law and was facing problems due to marriage pressure which left her disturbed. The doctors have suggested psychiatric treatment.
Bhagwat Bansod, Senior Police Inspector, RAK Marg police station