Kashyap Patel, the man at the centre of a growing political controversy in Victoria, has told The Australia Today he was in a “severe state of anxiety and depression” and experiencing suicidal thoughts at the time he sought character references from local leaders Preet Singh and Dinesh Gourisetty.
In an exclusive interview, Patel said his mental health had deteriorated significantly during the period leading up to his court case.
“My mental health was bad, and I was not in the right state of mind,” he said.
“At that point in time I wanted to end my life.”
Patel said he directly communicated those thoughts to community leader Preet Singh.
“I told Preet Singh that I am getting thoughts of wanting to end my life,” he said.
According to Patel, the conversation prompted concern from Singh, who he said took steps to ensure his safety.
“Preet asked me if I was getting help from professionals and contacted my family, informing them about the concerns for my well-being,” Patel said.
He said his family then contacted the private clinic where he had been seeing a psychologist.
Patel also claimed he felt desperate at the time and placed pressure on Singh while asking for a character reference.
“I was in depression and severe state of anxiety,” he said.
“I told Preet Singh that if you don’t give me a letter of reference, I might end my life.”
Singh, who is currently under intense scrutiny over his decision to provide the reference, confirmed to The Australia Today that the situation was deeply confronting.
He told me that I can’t disclose my situation (court case) to anyone, and I can’t trust anyone on this. Please help me.”
“It was a difficult situation for me, as a man with two kids — one nine-year-old and another six-year-old — telling me if I don’t give letters, he may kill himself,” Singh said.
“I chose to save his life and signed the letter.”
The revelations add a new layer to the controversy surrounding both Singh and Liberal figure Dinesh Gourisetty, who also provided a character reference for Patel before his conviction.
Both men have faced significant backlash in recent days, with critics arguing their references showed poor judgment given the seriousness of Patel’s offences.
However, Patel’s account suggests the requests were made during a period of acute mental health crisis, raising questions about the context in which those decisions were made.
The issue has sparked wider debate about how individuals, including public figures, should respond when confronted with someone expressing suicidal intent, particularly in situations intersecting with legal proceedings.
Mental health experts have long warned that threats of self-harm can place individuals in complex and emotionally charged positions, where immediate welfare concerns may conflict with other responsibilities.
The controversy continues to unfold, with community reaction remaining strong and political pressure mounting on both major parties over candidate vetting, judgment, and accountability.
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