A 32-year-old woman and her 8-year-old son died in Pune’s Kharadi after a suspected suicide from a high-rise. A note reveals emotional trauma and urges mental health reforms.
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Grief in the Skies: Pune Woman Jumps to Death with Son, Suicide Note Uncovers Emotional Storm
Pune, June 19, 2025 A cloud of shock and sorrow hangs over the Ambegaon Bhudruk area of Pune today after a woman in her early 30s allegedly jumped from the terrace of a multi-storey residential building, taking her 8-year-old son with her. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, has left the local community stunned and authorities racing to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
The Timeline of the Incident
At approximately 6:45 a.m., residents of a prominent housing society Kalpak Society heard a loud thud, followed by screams and chaos. Emergency services arrived swiftly after a resident reported two bodies in the building’s courtyard. The woman, identified as Shraddha R. (name changed), and her son were declared dead by paramedics at the site.
The woman had reportedly accessed the building’s rooftop, which remains open to residents. Eyewitness accounts suggest she had been pacing for some time before the fatal act, with CCTV footage under review by police investigators.
Pune Tragedy: Woman Jumps from Terrace With Son, Suicide Note Reveals Emotional Distress
A Letter Left Behind
Authorities discovered a handwritten suicide note in the family’s flat, located on the ninth floor. The note reportedly cited overwhelming personal stress and family-related emotional strain. It is believed the woman had been facing mental health issues compounded by a recent series of disputes with close relatives and a lack of support in managing her son's health and education challenges.
According to police sources, the note did not blame any individual explicitly but expressed feelings of being “trapped, unheard, and exhausted.”
What We Know So Far
Victims: Shraddha R. (name changed), aged 32; her son, aged 8
Location: High-rise building in Ambegaon, south Pune
Time of incident: Around 6:45 a.m., Wednesday, June 19
Suicide note: Found in the apartment; mentions emotional breakdown
Mental Health in Urban India: A Silent Battle
This tragic case echoes a growing concern across Indian cities—mental health struggles exacerbated by isolation, familial pressure, and the lack of accessible emotional support systems.
In Pune alone, recent data from the Maharashtra State Mental Health Authority indicates a 24% rise in reported cases of anxiety, depression, and post-partum disorders since 2021. Women, especially single mothers, face disproportionate emotional burdens in nuclear households, with limited institutional or peer support.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Aruna Desai, who works with crisis intervention teams in Pune, states:
“We’re seeing more middle-class, educated women who feel emotionally cornered. These are not women who lack intelligence or capability. They lack connection. In urban setups, loneliness is a pandemic of its own.”
Security and Policy Oversight
Questions are being raised about rooftop access in residential complexes. Despite multiple incidents across Indian cities in recent years involving suicide jumps, many buildings continue to offer unrestricted access to terraces.
Municipal bodies and housing societies are now under pressure to re-examine access policies. Resident Welfare Associations in Pune’s high-rise corridors are calling for emergency surveillance, mental health helplines, and controlled entry points to rooftops.
The Boy Behind the Tragedy
Neighbors described the child as “cheerful but quiet,” frequently seen at the building’s play area or clinging to his mother during evening walks. He had recently missed several school days, which some speculate may be linked to domestic tensions. His school has released a brief statement expressing grief and stating that counseling services will be made available to classmates.
Authorities Speak Out
Senior Inspector Vijay Kadam of Chandan Nagar Police Station stated:
“We are treating this as a deeply sensitive case. We request the public and media to refrain from speculation. Psychological autopsy and expert consultation will be part of our final report.”
A local NGO, Saathi Pune, has stepped in to offer support to the family and building residents, organizing grief counseling sessions over the coming weekend.
Final Moments, Lingering Questions
Shraddha’s final note reportedly ended with the words:
“I loved him too much to leave him alone in this world.”
That sentence now resonates as a chilling cry for help—a plea that went unanswered in a city that never sleeps but often forgets to listen.
💬 If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait.
