Diamond Company Owner in Surat Commits Suicide Amid Financial Distress

SURAT, GUJARAT : In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the diamond community in Surat, Hitesh Babu Devani, 39, owner of Om Diamond Company, took his own life by consuming poison in his Varachha office in Surat diamond hub. The incident is believed to be driven by harassment from loan sharks, as Devani was under a significant debt of approximately Rs 2.5 crore.

Varachha police discovered a suicide note at the scene, revealing the names of several diamond merchants and moneylenders, including an individual named Piyush. The note highlighted the dire financial straits Devani was facing, detailing how he was exploited by traders who significantly underpaid him for diamond goods. Specifically, the note mentioned that Piyush paid only Rs. 1.5 lakh for goods worth Rs. 1.5 crore, and another trader paid Rs. 1 lakh for goods valued at Rs. 1 crore.

Devani originally hailed from Mesanka village in Bhavnagar’s Gariadhar taluka and resided at The Candlewood on Katargam Ram Katha Road. On Thursday, when Devani did not return home for dinner, his wife became worried and called him, but received no response. Concerned, his brother-in-law went to check on him at the office and found him unconscious. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Devani was declared dead on arrival.

The discovery of the suicide note has prompted Varachha police to launch a detailed investigation into the matter. They are examining the roles of the named individuals and merchants in relation to Devani’s financial troubles. The police are particularly focused on the significant discrepancy between the value of the diamond goods and the payments received, which contributed to Devani’s mounting debt.

Devani’s death leaves a profound void in his family. He is survived by his wife and their two children, five-year-old son Om and five-year-old daughter Shree. Om Diamond Company, a well-established business in the diamond manufacturing sector, was founded by Hitesh’s father 35 years ago.