Bhopal Advocate Dies by Suicide After Threats from Cyber Fraudsters

Bhopal: A 68-year-old advocate, Shiv Kumar Verma, died by suicide at his residence in Bhopal’s Barkhedi area on Monday night after being threatened by cyber fraudsters. The scammers falsely claimed he was involved in funding the Pahalgam terror attack.

Verma, who had performed the last rites of several victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, left a suicide note saying, “I’m ending my life, as someone has falsely opened an account in HDFC Bank in my name and funded Pahalgam attack terrorist Asim Joji. I won’t be able to bear being branded an anti-national.”

Police said the threats had put Verma under “digital arrest,” causing immense fear and distress. The incident occurred while his wife was away in Delhi. His body was discovered by a tenant after his wife failed to contact him.

Jahangirabad police are investigating the case. Verma’s mobile phone and suicide note have been sent for forensic analysis to trace the cyber criminals.

This is the second case in Bhopal in less than three weeks where elderly advocates were targeted by fraudsters threatening terror funding charges. Earlier incidents in November included the extortion of ₹68 lakh from a retired bank manager and ₹65 lakh from a retired public-sector official and his wife, both through digital arrest scams.

Police have urged citizens to be cautious and report any suspicious calls or threats.