Gas agency manager dies in Uttarakhand, colleagues allege Iran crisis may be a reason behind his death

A 55-year-old manager of a Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) gas agency in Champawat district passed away on Sunday evening shortly after returning home from work.

His colleagues claimed that he consumed a poisonous substance, allegedly unable to handle increasing work pressure amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. However, his family members rejected this claim, stating that the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after the postmortem report.

Workers Protest, Gas Supply Affected

On Monday, several KMVN employees went on strike, disrupting cooking gas distribution in parts of the Kumaon region.


Colleagues alleged that the deceased, Dayal Singh Rawat, had recently confided in a friend, saying “he was crumbling, physically and mentally, due to too much work pressure and he was facing heat from consumers and the administration alike.”

Police Begin Investigation

Rekha Yadav stated that an investigation will be carried out to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. She added, “Rawat’s family members did not say anything about consumption of poison.”

Rawat’s brother-in-law, Rajendra Singh Bora told TOI that, “He looked normal when he came home from work,” Bora said.

He further explained, “He called me around 6.30 pm Sunday, informing me that he was going to the hospital to get his maternal uncle, who had undergone gall blader surgery, discharged from hospital. The two came back after one hour. Rawat soon complained of discomfort and asked his family to take him to hospital, where he died.”

Postmortem Report Awaited

Champawat police station in-charge B S Bisht said, “The district hospital informed us about Rawat’s death. The body was handed over to the family after postmortem, the report of which is awaited.”

KMVN Official Responds

Usha Rana, gas manager, KMVN Pithoragarh clarified that Rawat’s death was not linked to work pressure, although she acknowledged that gas distribution workers are currently facing increased pressure due to the prevailing situation.

[With TOI inputs]