Death Most Beautiful: CA's Suicide by Helium Gas in Delhi Airbnb
In a tragic and unprecedented incident, a 25-year-old Chartered Accountant, Dheeraj Kansal, was found dead in an Airbnb near Bengali Market in central Delhi on July 28, 2025. The case, reported as Delhi’s first suicide involving helium gas inhalation, has raised questions about mental health, the accessibility of lethal substances, and the role of online platforms in such incidents.
The Incident: A Planned Act
Kansal, a native of Karnal, Haryana, and an employee at a Gurugram-based company, checked into an Airbnb on Bazaar Lane near Bengali Market on July 20, 2025, with a scheduled checkout on July 28. When he failed to vacate the premises, the property owner noticed a foul odor emanating from the room and alerted the Barakhamba Police Station. Upon breaking open the door, authorities discovered Kansal lifeless on the bed, his face and neck covered with a transparent plastic sheet, and a pipe connected to a helium cylinder inserted in his mouth.
The helium cylinder, purchased for ₹3,500 from a supplier in Ghaziabad via IndiaMART, was connected to three plastic pipes, indicating a deliberate setup. A handwritten suicide note found in Kansal’s pocket and a now-deleted Facebook post provided insight into his state of mind. The note read:
Forensic Analysis: Helium Inhalation and Its Lethality
Helium, an inert gas commonly used for filling balloons, is non-toxic but can be deadly when inhaled in high concentrations. By displacing oxygen in an enclosed environment, it causes rapid asphyxiation, leading to unconsciousness or death within minutes. Forensic experts note that helium inhalation is highly fatal due to oxygen deprivation, and this case marks a rare instance in Delhi.
Forensic Insight: Studies, such as those published in Forensic Science International, indicate that helium-related suicides often involve an “exit bag” setup, where a plastic bag is secured around the head with a tube connected to a helium source. The absence of toxicological markers in autopsies makes such cases challenging to investigate, as helium dissipates quickly from the body.
The police sent Kansal’s body to Lady Hardinge Hospital for a postmortem, which confirmed asphyxiation as the cause of death. No drugs or alcohol were found in preliminary toxicological screenings, aligning with Kansal’s statement that he was not depressed or under the influence of substances.
Kansal’s Background and Emotional Struggles
Kansal’s life was marked by personal challenges. He lost his father in 2002, and his mother later remarried. Raised by his grandparents in Delhi, he lived in a paying guest accommodation in Mehrauli. In his suicide note and social media post, Kansal expressed feelings of loneliness and detachment, stating, “I hate myself more than anyone could ever hate me… I would prefer to burn in hell for eternity.” He also mentioned struggling after his grandmother’s death, which left him unable to leave his home for extended periods.
Despite these struggles, Kansal emphasized that he held no one responsible and described those he met as “kind.” He requested that his savings be donated to an orphanage or old-age home and expressed a desire for his organs to be donated, though it’s unclear if this was feasible given the circumstances of his death.
Investigative Questions: Accessibility and Accountability
The ease with which Kansal procured a helium cylinder raises concerns about the regulation of such substances. Purchased online from a Ghaziabad supplier, the transaction highlights potential gaps in e-commerce platforms like IndiaMART, where industrial gases can be bought without stringent checks. Forensic journalism into this case prompts several questions:
- How easily can individuals access potentially lethal substances like helium for non-industrial purposes?
- What responsibility do e-commerce platforms bear in monitoring such transactions?
- Could Airbnb have implemented better safety protocols to detect unusual guest behavior?
Investigators are also examining Kansal’s digital footprint, including his interactions on social media and the timing of his deleted Facebook post. The note’s emphasis on not disturbing others suggests Kansal anticipated police scrutiny and sought to protect those around him.
Societal Implications and Mental Health
This incident underscores the silent epidemic of mental health struggles among young professionals. Despite Kansal’s assertion that he was not depressed, his writings reveal a profound sense of disconnection and lack of purpose. Mental health experts suggest that societal pressures, combined with personal losses, may contribute to such drastic decisions.
“If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Contact AASRA at +91 9820466726.”
Conclusion
Dheeraj Kansal’s death is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health and the unintended consequences of accessible technologies. As Delhi records its first helium-related suicide, authorities, e-commerce platforms, and society at large face the challenge of balancing individual freedom with preventive measures. The investigation continues, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.
