Sambalpur: The district officials here got into defensive mode denying allegations that P K Sahu had committed suicide due to debt and distress.

The loan was taken by his brother said an official trying to convince that the suicide was not due to debt.

PK Sahu (22) of Barhaguda village close to the Bargarh district headquarters, committed suicide on 8 February night. Allegations were that he took the drastic step as he failed to repay loan incurred by him and had to sell his belongings at distress rates.

He owned two acres and had taken another 12 acres on contract said locals.

The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern Division) Mr Madhusudan Padhi has asked district collector to conduct a detailed enquiry.

All the senior officers of Bargarh, the MLA of Bargarh Mr Anand Acharya, MLA of Bijepur Mr Subal Sahu, senior Congress leader Mr Sadhu Nepak visited the family of the deceased.