53-yr-old cab driver found dead in his car

NOIDA: A 53-year-old cab driver was found dead in his car Wednesday in Sector 135. The police sent the body for an autopsy and a probe in the matter is underway.

According to police, the man was found in his Hyundai Xcent car around 9.30am by a municipal cleaner. “He first knocked on the car window to ask the man to move the car. When the man didn’t respond, the sweeper called on the police helpline. A team was rushed to the spot and found the man dead,” Bhuvnesh Kumar, station house officer, Expressway police station, said.

SHO said the car was unlocked, but there were no injury mark on the body, thereby ruling out chances of foul play.

“The man may have died of natural causes. When we contacted his colleagues and family we found out that he was estranged and had not been home in six months. This could also be a suicide case and the man’s relationship with his family could be a reason behind the extreme step,” the SHO said, adding they were awaiting autopsy report to come in.

Police said the man owned the vehicle and had been working as a cab driver for a few years. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son, who live in Delhi.

The police have also ruled out robbery as motive as his valuables, cellphone and wallet, were found on him. “We cannot ascertain how long he had been lying dead in the car unless we get the autopsy report,” the SHO said.

Gautam Budh Nagar does not have a dedicated helpline to deal with such situations. A few major suicide prevention helpline numbers in India are +914066202000 from ‘Roshni’ (Hyderabad-based) and +914424640050 from Sneha India Foundation (Delhi).