Pune: Businessman Gautam Pashankar confirmed on Wednesday (November 25) that he had decided to die by suicide due to huge economic losses due to the Covid-19 crisis and the pressure put by lenders for recovery. However, he did not complete the act as he thought a lot about his family members and changed his mind.

Also read: Pune Police trace missing businessman Gautam Pashankar in Jaipur

Pashankar was bought to Pune by flight on Wednesday after which he was questioned in depth by the Pune police. After the questioning ended, Pashankar spoke with media persons on his mysterious disappearance from the city. Assistant Commissioner of Police Surendra Deshmukh, Police Inspector Sunil Takawale, Police Sub-Inspector Sanjay Gaikwad and Pashankar’s son Kapil were present during the briefing.

Pashankar said, “The business turnover had declined in the last few months. I was facing huge economic and mental burden. I tried to improve the situation but could not do it. So, I decided to leave home. I came to Swargate by an autorickshaw and then went to Kolhapur by bus. From Kolhapur, I left for Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Tirupati-Balaji, Kanyakumari, Jaisalmer and then stopped at Jaipur. I was about to leave Jaipur on Wednesday, but Pune Police reached the hotel on Tuesday itself. During this entire period of 32 days, I did not contact my family members.”

“I had 80 thousand rupees cash with me when I left Pune city. I did not carry my mobile, credit card or debit card. I had to manage the expenses with whatever cash was left with me. I don’t know how Pune Police traced me,” Pashankar stated.

Pune police officials said Pashankar was under some medical treatment and doctors had prescribed him medicines for daily consumption. However, Pashankar had stopped taking these medicines. Pashankar had thought that by stopping consumption of these medicines he would die of natural death. Fortunately, that didn’t happen and police were able to find him in healthy and stable condition.

ACP Surendra Deshmukh said, “We are happy that we saved a life. We are investigating the case further. Soon, we would know more details about the politician who had threatened Pashankar.”