Madhyapur Thimi, March 12:

Staff of Janak Education Material Centre (JEMC) Limited today demanded a thorough investigation into the suicide case of Sita Poudel, an assistant to the General Manager of the government-owned entity.

Sita Poudel, in her early thirties, used to work as an assistant to Birendra Kumar Das, General Manager of the centre. Poudel used to serve tea and other food items to the GM and other staff of the centre. She had been working in the same post for the last seven years. Das was appointed GM a few weeks ago.

She reportedly consumed poison in the GM’s room at around 2 pm yesterday. She died while undergoing treatment at Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj.

A staff of the centre, on condition of anonymity, suspected illicit relationship between the GM and her behind her suicide. He said, “She had been working in this office for seven years and she had shown no abnormal behaviour in the past.”

“If the suicide had to do something with her personal problems, she would have committed the suicide at her home. She must have had problems with someone within the office. Why did she select the GM’s room to consume poison?” he asked. “Therefore, this case must be investigated thoroughly and the culprit be brought to book,” he added.

Despite several attempts, Das could not be reached for comments. Similarly, Metropolitan Police Range, Thimi also expressed ignorance about the incident.