Trader leaves suicide note saying he wanted to live:Body found, ₹5 lakh issued posthumously, phone untraceable

“Whatever happened was good, whoever did it did well. I wanted to live, but my own people didn’t let me live… No one’s money remains unpaid, those who had to give, didn’t give.” These painful words were written by 27-year-old grain trader Shivam Rathore, whose body was found on 13 February near the railway bridge in Namli. It has been 14 days since Shivam’s death, but it is still unclear whether it was a premeditated murder or a forced suicide. His family claims it was murder, while the police are treating it as suicide. Following protests from family and the local community, a case for abetment to suicide has been registered against five people, two of whom have been arrested. The family alleges that a cheque worth ₹5 lakh was deposited in Shivam’s name at a bank just one hour after his body was found. Shivam’s mobile phone is still missing. The Dainik Bhaskar team visited Namli to investigate the full sequence of events and spoke with Shivam’s family. Here is what has emerged so far. First the complete sequence of events… Shivam lived on Semlia Road in Namli with his parents, sister, and younger brother. He ran a garlic business with his younger brother, Pradeep Rathore. On the morning of 12 February, Parag Sharma, a trader from Ratlam, arrived on a scooter to call Shivam. Around 10:30 am, Shivam left on a bike following Parag, who had asked him to come briefly. By 4 pm, his family tried calling him but found his phone switched off. Several attempts to reach him failed. Family members checked the warehouse, but he was not there. They assumed he had gone out for business. That night passed in anxious waiting. The next day, 13 February, the family received the shocking news. Around 9 am, the police called to inform them that a body had been found near Namli bridge—it was Shivam. On arrival, the family saw Shivam’s hands folded over his stomach, with red marks on his shirt. The police and FSL team began investigations immediately. A formal inquest was conducted, and the body was sent to Ratlam Medical College for post-mortem. After the PM report, the body was brought back to Namli. Angry over their son’s death, the family and community members took the body to the police station instead of home, protesting and accusing some people of murder. A case of abetment to suicide was filed against Anurag Agarwal, his younger brother Abhijeet Agarwal, Mahesh Sharma (a retired policeman from Ratlam), and his two sons Chandan and Parag. Following police explanations, the family agreed to a final funeral. Anurag was arrested the same day and sent to jail. 4 lakh 80 thousand rupees of loan deposited in Shivam’s account According to the family, ₹4.80 lakh had been deposited into Shivam’s account on 11 February. The money was a loan taken by Parag Sharma from a bank in Shivam’s name for business purposes. Bills from Shivam’s firm were submitted as collateral. Shivam had transferred ₹2 lakh to Parag’s account via UPI on 11 February and was asked to repay the remainder the next day. Parag was displeased and came to meet Shivam on 12 February. CCTV footage shows Shivam leaving his home with Parag. Three people from Ratlam remained in Namli throughout the day. All three people from Ratlam stayed in Namli throughout the day Family alleges threats and coercion Pradeep Rathore, Shivam’s younger brother, said that Parag arrived to meet Shivam and left with him. Later, around 10 pm, Parag returned with his father Mahesh Sharma, brother Chandan Sharma, and trader Anurag. They reportedly threatened the family to recover money, saying that Shivam must pay up or face consequences. CCTV footage captured the entire incident. Shivam’s father, Kanhaiyalal Rathore, said he was not satisfied with the police investigation, insisting that Shivam could not have harmed himself. The family claims Shivam was strong and straightforward in business dealings. Did business with Anurag – Brother Pradeep said that we were doing business with Namli traders Anurag and Abhijeet. I was looking after my brother’s work. Anurag had deposited a payment of 4.80 lakhs in brother’s account. Half the payment was returned. A blank check was also given to withdraw money. Chandan Sharma from Ratlam has previously been accused of murder as well. In the morning when brother was murdered, these people reached the bank with a check for payment. When the bank asked for Aadhar card, they fled from there taking the check back. Police caught Anurag on the first day itself. Parag was also arrested later. If they had taken remand and interrogated both, the story would have come out. This was not done due to political pressure. My brother was murdered, he was tortured. I said – whatever transactions need to be settled, we can discuss sitting down. They didn’t listen and threatened with abusive language. My son cannot do this – Mother Dainik Bhaskar’s team reached Shivam’s house. Here mother Kalavati was sitting near her young son’s photo. When asked about her son, her eyes welled up. The mother said – In the morning, my son got ready and drank milk. I made poha for him. At that time Parag Sharma came. Asked about my son. Then my son left with him on his bike. I said – eat the poha son, he said – I’ll come home and eat. When I called him around 4 PM in the evening, his phone was switched off. His father came and asked if Shivam had eaten. We said – he hasn’t come home, he also tried calling, but found the mobile switched off. Son was cheerful. Minded his own business… would go straight and come back straight. Never mentioned any issues regarding money matters either. I am his mother. Carried him in my womb for 9 months, but never thought I would have to see such a day. February 4th was my wedding anniversary, then he had said mom it’s your wedding anniversary, let me bring a cake for you. I had refused then saying you never talked about bringing cake before. Told him your birthday is also coming on February 25th, we’ll get cake then. Father not satisfied with police action Father Kanhaiyalal Rathore is not satisfied with the police investigation so far. He says – Police could not catch those people. Never heard of his son having a dispute with anyone. Nor did he ever tell anything like that. A suicide note was also found, but the police kept it with them. My son cannot do this. He wants to make something of himself, something must have happened to him. He was a strong person. Now what happened to him, only God knows. Anurag, a businessman from Namli who used to stay with Shivam day and night, had come with three other people from Ratlam. I knew Namli’s Anurag and his younger brother. I thought they had come for business. They keep doing transactions, so I didn’t go to them. I and my son don’t know the people who came from Ratlam. Attempt to forcibly take the son – Aunty Aunty Mangla Rathore says that when Parag Sharma came, he asked sister-in-law why the phone wasn’t connecting since 4:30. Ask by making a call. They came in two cars. Parag Sharma said to ask Anurag about Shivam being missing. Those people said they would keep their car parked here. Not just one day, but 10 days, even if he doesn’t come for a month, it’s not a problem. They said they would build a house right in front of here and stay put. They were also trying to forcibly make my son sit in the car. We are not satisfied with the police investigation. The police are stuck on one narrative that it was suicide. If he had taken any kind of medicine, there would have been a smell from him, but there was nothing like that. Something unfortunate happened to society’s son – President Rathore Samaj President Sanjay Rathore (Chauhan) says that the entire community and Namli suspect that something happened to Shivam. Police have not been able to reveal anything yet. There should be an impartial investigation. What has come to light in police investigation so far Did business in Ratlam According to police, Shivam came to Ratlam garlic market on February 12 with his friend Pappu. Here he traded in garlic. After this, he stayed at his friend’s farm in Namli at night. He had told his friend not to tell anyone that he was staying there. When police obtained Shivam’s mobile CDR, they found information about the last call from a businessman in Namli. During questioning, the businessman revealed that Shivam had asked for money when he needed it. I had refused citing previous unpaid loans. The next morning his body was found. Check Deposited in Bank 1 Hour After Body Found Police also requested account details from the bank. It was discovered that Shivam’s body was found around 9 AM on February 13. About an hour later, Parag Sharma presented a check for 5 lakh rupees in Shivam’s name for payment at the government bank in Namli. The bank requested Shivam’s Aadhar card, which Parag did not have. Parag then left with the check saying he would return with the Aadhar card. When he came out of the bank, he learned that Shivam’s body had been found. After this, Ratlam resident Mahesh Sharma fled with his two sons Chandan Sharma and Parag Sharma. Information About Shivam’s Debt Also Came to Light The investigation has also revealed that Shivam had some debt. On February 12, 19 calls were made from Shivam’s mobile, in which discussions about money transactions took place. Among these 19 people, conversations were also held with Parag and Anurag. Information from the bank also revealed that Shivam had transferred 45 thousand to one trader and 2.34 lakhs to another trader’s account. Mahesh Sharma, Chandan Sharma and Parag Sharma also do business in the market, however, family members are denying any kind of debt. Suicide Note Written on Account Slip Police found a suicide note written on an accounting slip from Shivam’s pocket, which stated “had more life to live.” Police have matched the handwriting of the deceased’s business accounts register and suicide note. It has been sent to experts for investigation. Chandan Sharma accused of shooting Congress leader Chandan Sharma is also accused of shooting at Congress leader Yasmin Sherani in Ratlam. Chandan Sharma’s father Mahesh Sharma is a retired police officer. His brother is Parag Sharma. The deceased’s family members have claimed these people are connected to a particular organization. Chandan’s wife is a BJP leader. Shivam’s mobile still missing Police have not found Shivam’s mobile phone either. Police suspect that Shivam threw his mobile somewhere near where the body was found. The surrounding fields were filled with water. The phone may have been buried in the soil. The BDCS team also searched for the mobile but couldn’t find it. According to police, once the field dries up, the BDS team will be called again to search. SP Amit Kumar also reached the spot after the body was found. Two days later, the investigation team found a bottle of pesticide at the scene. During the investigation, it was revealed that vomiting had occurred at the place where the body was found. As far as the red marks being talked about, it could possibly be from the medicine used in garlic, as it is red in color. Initial investigation suggests that Shivam consumed pesticide while walking 500 meters away from the field. This caused him to lose consciousness and fall, which led to his death. The PM report revealed death due to consumption of red pesticide. Viscera examination has also been conducted. The report is still pending. Police have also announced a reward of 10 thousand rupees on the three absconding accused. Namli Station In-charge Gayatri Soni said that a report has been filed against five people in the case. Two of them have been arrested. Search for three accused is ongoing.