Surat: A 40-year-old construction supervisor was found dead outside Nav Mangal Apartment in the posh City Light area of Surat on Sunday evening. The deceased, identified as Mangilal Suthar, was overseeing renovation work at a flat in the apartment.Following the death, Suthar’s family members and friends alleged that his death was suspicious and demanded a thorough investigation, claiming that he may have been assaulted before the fall.According to his friends, Suthar took up the renovation project in partnership for Rs 6 lakh. They alleged that a dispute arose with the flat owner over the quality of work, following which a part of the payment was returned to the owner. Suthar’s partner later withdrew from the project, but the owner allegedly continued to pressure Suthar regarding the work.“Suthar fell from the first floor of the apartment and died. It is difficult to believe that a person could die on the spot after a fall from such a height. He told us about his disputes with the flat owner and the pressure he was facing,” one of Suthar’s friends alleged.The friends further claimed that Suthar spoke to them about repeated arguments with the owner and his concerns over the ongoing dispute.“I advised Suthar not to take stress and even offered to speak to the owner on his behalf. Injury marks were found on his body, and the police should investigate whether there was any assault before his death,” another friend of Suthar said.The Umra police have registered a case of accidental death and initiated an investigation. Cops said they will record the statement of the flat owner where Suthar was working. They are also examining CCTV footage from the apartment premises to ascertain the circumstances leading to the accident.
