Indian Jujitsu player found dead; family alleges workplace harassment

International Jujitsu player Rohini Kalam, 35, was found dead at her residence in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Police have initiated an investigation into her death, which preliminary findings suggest was by suicide.The incident occurred at her family home in Arjun Nagar, Radhaganj. Rohini's younger sister Roshni discovered her hanging in her room and alerted family members, after which she was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.When the incident took place, Rohini's mother was at a temple with another daughter, and her father, a retired Bank Note Press employee, was away from home. No suicide note was found at the scene.Roshni informed investigators that Rohini worked as a martial arts coach at a private school in Ashta and had been experiencing work-related stress. She had returned to Dewas on Saturday and had tea and breakfast as usual on Sunday morning before speaking to someone on the phone and retiring to her room."She was worried about her job. The faculty at her school were troubling her. Her school's principal was troubling her.

She was worried about her job. I could sense it from the way she was speaking on her phone," Roshni said, as quoted in multiple media reports.Rohini, the eldest of five siblings, had consistently declined marriage proposals, according to her father. She had aspirations of becoming an IPS officer and had been attempting to secure the Vikram Award for two years without success. The family mentioned that Rohini underwent surgery for a stomach lump five months ago and had been unwell since then.

They also raised concerns about alleged harassment from her school principal.A case has been registered at the Bank Note Press police station as authorities work to determine the circumstances leading to her death.Rohini's sporting journey began in 2007, with her professional Jujitsu career starting in 2015. She competed in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou and was India's sole representative at the World Games in Birmingham.Her achievements include multiple medals at the Asian Jujitsu Championships. She secured bronze in the 48 kg category at the Thailand Open Grand Prix 2022 in Bangkok and another bronze in the duo classic event at the 8th Asian Jujitsu Championship 2024 in Abu Dhabi. She had also qualified for the Combat Games in Saudi Arabia. Police are currently awaiting post-mortem examination reports.