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A tragic incident at Delhi’s Saket Court has once again drawn attention to work pressure and mental stress faced by court staff. A 43-year-old differently-abled record keeper, allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the fifth floor of a building inside the Saket Court complex on Friday morning.
According to the police, the incident took place around 10 am when lawyers and court staff heard a loud thud near the North Wing, Block 1. The man, identified as Harish Singh Mahar, was rushed to PSRI Hospital in an unconscious state but was declared dead. His body was later sent to AIIMS for post-mortem examination.
DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan said that a suicide note was recovered from Mahar’s pocket. In the handwritten note, Mahar stated that he was not holding anyone responsible for his death. He wrote that he was 60% disabled and found the job extremely demanding. He mentioned that he believed he would be able to cope with the pressure but ultimately could not.
Mahar had been working as a court staffer since 2010. At the time of his death, he was posted in a digital traffic court and was handling nearly 9,000 pending cases, officials said. Colleagues and lawyers said the workload was overwhelming, especially for someone with a significant physical disability.
He lived with his parents, elder brother, and sister. Friends described him as a cheerful and friendly person. Former Bar Association secretary Advocate Dhir Singh Kasana, who knew him closely, said it was heartbreaking to see such a lively person lose his life due to work pressure.
Another friend, who accompanied Mahar’s parents to the hospital, said he often appeared stressed but never imagined such a tragic outcome. He added that it is extremely difficult for a person with 60% disability to manage the heavy responsibilities of an ahlmad.
Following the incident, court staff gathered outside the building in protest, chanting slogans demanding “Justice for Harish.” Several lawyers also joined the protest, highlighting the excessive workload in courts. Staff members pointed out that Delhi’s courts are facing a shortage of around 3,000 clerical staff, forcing one person to handle the work meant for several employees.
The incident has sparked serious concerns about work conditions, staff shortages, and mental health support for court employees, especially those with disabilities.
