Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Maharashtra Minorities Commission Probes Vendor's Suicide Amid Harassment Claims
A man named Aftab who sold flowers was found dead in his home in a town called Banda.
Before he died, he made a video saying that some other shopkeepers were bothering him and making it hard for him to sell his flowers.
His family believes these people are the reason he was so upset that he took his own life.
They haven't been arrested yet, and the family is upset about that.
Now, a special group called the Minorities Commission is looking into the situation to see if the police should investigate the people Aftab mentioned in his video.
They want to make sure everyone is treated fairly.
Maharashtra Minorities Commission has ordered a police investigation into the alleged suicide of a Muslim vendor, Aftab Sheikh.
Sheikh died by suicide on October 29, alleging harassment and business rivalry from five individuals in a video recorded before his death.
Family members claim police have not registered a case despite the video evidence and are refusing to collect the body until arrests are made.
Sheikh's mother stated he had been unable to reopen his flower shop for eight months due to threats from rivals.
The Minorities Commission has questioned the police's inaction and urged the registration of criminal offenses against the accused.
- Who
- Aftab Sheikh, a 38-year-old Muslim flower vendor, his family, five accused individuals, and the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission
- What
- The Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has ordered a probe into the alleged harassment and suicide of a Muslim vendor, Aftab Sheikh, who claimed business rivalry and obstruction in a video before his death.
- When
- Sheikh was found hanging on October 29, and the Minorities Commission directed the probe on a Saturday following the incident.
- Where
- Banda town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, on the Maharashtra-Goa border.
- Why
- Sheikh's family alleges he died by suicide due to harassment and forced closure of his business by rivals, as stated in a video he recorded before his death. The Minorities Commission is investigating potential instigation of suicide.
Family and Minorities Commission's Stance
Police's Current Action
Registration of Case and Arrests
Family and Minorities Commission's Stance
The family and the Minorities Commission believe a case should be immediately registered against the accused individuals named in Sheikh's video and arrests should be made.
Police's Current Action
The Sindhudurg district police have not yet registered a criminal case or made any arrests, despite the complaint and video evidence.
Investigation into Harassment
Family and Minorities Commission's Stance
The Minorities Commission asserts that the video indicates Sheikh was subjected to torture and threats, potentially leading to his suicide, and demands accountability.
Police's Current Action
The police are now directed to investigate the allegations following the Minorities Commission's order, implying previous inaction or insufficient grounds for immediate action.
- Deceased
- Aftab Sheikh, 38
- Location
- Banda, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra
- Date of Death
- October 29
- Alleged Cause
- Harassment and business rivalry leading to suicide
- Commission Involved
- Maharashtra State Minorities Commission