Guwahati: A handwritten note left behind by Guwahati-based businessman Sijo Jacob, who was found dead in a Shillong hotel room in early 2024, has resurfaced online, naming BJP candidate for the 36 Guwahati Central constituency, Vijay Gupta as responsible for his death.
The note, addressed to “Mr Vijay Gupta, Assam BJP” and bearing a mobile number attributed to him, opens in block letters: “TAKE THIS AS MY SUICIDE NOTE. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY TODAY’S LIFE SITUATION AND MY REASON FOR DEATH.”
Jacob, 47, had checked into Room 206 of Hotel Assembly in Shillong’s Khyndailad area on February 28, 2024. Hotel staff alerted authorities after he failed to check out for several days. Police later entered the room in the presence of witnesses and found him lying on the bed, with blood stains near his mouth. Preliminary findings indicated a possible overdose of sedatives and anti-depressants, and no foul play was established.
The note, which is now circulating widely, outlines allegations of financial wrongdoing linked to an Aadhaar-related government project. Writing “with a heavy heart, brimming with disappointment and righteous anger,” Jacob alleged that around Rs 1.20 crore collected from investors towards EMD and PBG requirements was deposited into the accounts of Galaxy Scales & Systems Pvt. Ltd., a firm he claimed was introduced into the project through Gupta’s relative, Rajendra Gupta. He further alleged that investors were not paid their dues.
“Your financial contribution to this project was nothing prior to work order,” Jacob wrote, accusing Gupta of having no stake in the venture before taking control. In another sharply worded passage, he added: “You, the puppeteer, pulled strings, danced on my vulnerability, and left me gasping for air while you danced a shameless victory dance.”
Jacob also alleged that Silver Touch Technologies Ltd. was used to sideline him and other “rightful players,” enabling others to appropriate the project’s financial proceeds. Despite an assurance of a 25 per cent share in profits, he wrote that “my promised share remained a cruel illusion.”
In the closing portion of the note, Jacob appealed for official intervention. “I implore you — take proper enquiry and return the money to the deserved people who invested their time and money in the Aadhaar project. Let truth prevail,” he wrote.
He then addressed Gupta directly: “Vijay Ji, hear this: if curses held power, yours would echo through SEVEN GENERATIONS. But, I relinquish vengeance to a higher force — GOD.”
The note concludes with the words “GO TO HELL!”, followed by his signature, a thumb impression, and the date February 27, 2024.
Originally from Thrissur in Kerala, Jacob had been based in Guwahati for over 15 years. He had earlier run an IT training centre in Naharlapur before relocating to the city in 2008, where he founded webzines such as Fit Northeast and East Echo. He was also associated with the now-defunct Business Northeast magazine and held a Master’s degree in Computer Applications.