Youth live streams suicide video on Facebook; Mumbai Police appeals "reach out to us"

Mumbai: A 24-year-old youth streamed live a video about steps to commit suicide before jumping to death from the 19th floor of a luxury hotel here, police said today.

Arjun Bhardwaj, a local college student, took the extreme step last evening. The Mumbai Police today appealed to people to not circulate the video and asked those in distress to reach out to them as they promised to be their "3 AM friend".

"Deeply bereaved with suicide of a young boy in the city. We urge the youngsters to reach out to us. #WeAreListening," the police tweeted.

"Always better to speak up than give up," another tweet, aimed at preventing youngsters from taking the drastic step, said.

Appealing to people and the media not to circulate the video, the 50,000-strong Mumbai Police force said, "You must share your problems with your loved ones, if not talk to us...Value your life, it is very precious."

According to police, Bhardwaj had booked a suite on the 19th floor of a five-star hotel in suburban Bandra and ended his life by jumping from his room by breaking the glass of the window.

He had live streamed a video on Facebook about steps to kill oneself before committing suicide. Bhardwaj, who hailed from Bengaluru, was in depression and addicted to drugs, police said.

"I'm a drug addict...I don't want to live anymore and hence (I am) committing suicide," his suicide note, found in the hotel room, said, as per police.

The incident came to light after the hotel's security staff heard a loud thud in the premises and saw the youth's body in a pool of blood on the ground. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead before admission.