Surat Youth Dies By Suicide After Losing Over Rs 10 Lakh Intended For Overseas Studies; Moneylender Arrested For Harassment

Surat: A 22-year-old youth from Laskana, Surat, ended his life by hanging at his home, leaving behind a suicide note that revealed financial distress caused by gambling losses and loan harassment.

Chit Gabani, originally from Gundala village in Botad and living in Gadhpur Township, had aspired to study in Germany. After completing a hotel management course in Singapore in 2022, he returned to India in April 2023 and deposited Rs 10.8 lakh in a bank account as proof of funds for his German student visa.

Between August and September 2024, he lost the entire amount in gambling. To recover, he attempted to forge visa documents but failed. The suicide note detailed his apology to his parents for losing the money and disclosed borrowing Rs 80,000 from a local moneylender, Ajay Ramesh Shiroya alias Mahakal. Despite the initial loan, Ajay allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh and pressured Chit with post-dated cheques totaling over Rs 4 lakh.

Chit’s body was found by family members after he failed to respond for hours. Police arrested Ajay Shiroya, who has a criminal record including attempted murder and assault, for abetment to suicide. Investigations are ongoing to identify other lenders.