In a shocking incident, Former Chhattisgarh minister and senior BJP leader Rajinder Pal Singh Bhatia was found dead, at his residence in Rajnandgaon district of the state on Sunday, in what police suspect is a case of suicide.  Police officials said Bhatia, 72, was found hanging on Sunday evening and are investigating if it was a case of death by suicide. They are also yet to confirm if a suicide note was recovered from the site.

According to BJP leaders, Bhatia had tested positive for COVID-19 in March this year and he had been keeping unwell after recovering from it. The 3-time Member of Legislative Assembly from Khujji Assembly constituency of the district, Bhatia was Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in the first BJP government led by Chief Minister Raman Singh, they said.

In 2013, he revolted against the party for being denied an Assembly ticket and unsuccessfully contested as an independent candidate from Khujji seat during the state polls. However, he had later rejoined the party, the party leaders said. His wife had died a few years back and his only son Jagjeet Singh Bhatia is in the management of a private hospital in Raipur, they said.

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