A financial dispute over a land deal took a tragic turn in Panipat on Monday when a 45-year-old property dealer allegedly committed suicide at his office. The victim, identified as Surender Kataria, a resident of Vikas Nagar, consumed a poisonous substance after allegedly being threatened and cheated by his business associates. Following a complaint by his wife, the police have booked five individuals, including an advocate, on charges of abetment to suicide.
According to the complaint filed by the victim’s wife, Sonia, Surender had been in the property business for 22 years. He had jointly purchased a piece of land in Sewah village with the accused—Advocate Sitender (of Sewah), Sunil Pandit (of Sanpera), Monu, and Pradeep. Sonia alleged that her husband had paid ₹3 crore through bank transactions and cash for the deal. However, instead of honouring the agreement, Advocate Sitender allegedly connived with the landowner to register the property in his own name.
The situation escalated on Sunday evening when Surender received a distressing call from Sunil Pandit. Sonia stated that when her husband visited Sitender’s office to discuss the registration, the advocate allegedly placed a pistol on the table and threatened to kill him. Unable to bear the harassment and financial loss, Surender consumed poison at his office the next day. He was rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to the poisoning.
Acting on the family’s statement, the Sector 29 police have registered an FIR against Advocate Sitender, Sunil Pandit, Monu, Pradeep, and the landowner under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. The body was handed over to the family after a post-mortem examination.
