Transgender Police Trainee Found Hanging In Bathroom In Bihar

A transgender woman constable undergoing police training in Bihar's Munger district was found hanging in a bathroom on Sunday, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. 

The constable, Avanthika Sindhu, had reportedly been unwell for the past few days and was alone in the barracks when the incident occurred.

Sindhu was a resident of West Champaran district. She was among a batch of 500 trainees sent from Patna Police Lines to Jamalpur for training. The batch includes 16 transgender personnel.

The incident took place at the BSAP-9 camp in Jamalpur. According to colleagues, Avanthika had been unwell for the past few days and had not been taking part in training activities.

On Sunday, the entire batch had gone to the training ground, while Avanthika remained in the barracks due to her poor health. When fellow trainees returned in the evening and began looking for her, they found her hanging in the bathroom.

She was immediately taken to a primary health centre, where she was declared dead.

Mithilesh Kumar, Commandant, BSAP Camp told the reporters, "It appears to be a case of suicide. The woman was found in the bathroom with a cloth towel tied around her neck."

Soon after receiving information about the incident, BSAP-9 Commandant Mithilesh Kumar, DSP Dr Arjun Kumar Gupta and Jamalpur Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Paswan reached the camp and began an inquiry. Officials also questioned personnel staying in the barracks.

Police are probing the case from multiple angles, including the circumstances inside the camp and the constable's health condition. Investigators are also examining her personal life and external contacts to determine if any other factors may have contributed to her death.

According to police sources, her mobile phone and personal contacts are also being subjected to technical examination to determine whether any pressure, dispute or other factor may have been involved. However, police said no conclusions can be drawn until the investigation is completed.

The body has been sent for postmortem examination.

Commandant Mithilesh Kumar said the constable's family had been informed about the incident. Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Paswan said the exact cause of death would be known only after the postmortem report and technical investigation are completed.

(With inputs from Mithun Kumar)