Debt claims 3 of a family

Heavy debts reportedly drove three members of a family to end their lives in Senkuttai near Katpadi during the early hours of Saturday.

The deceased were identified as Madhan Kumar (32), of Bajanai Koil Street in Senkuttai. and his parents Egambaram (64) and Mallika (58). While Madhan hanged himself at home in the early hours of Saturday, his parents committed suicide by jumping into the tank attached to the Droupathy Amman Koil in the vicinity.

Madhan was running a used car firm at Gandhi Nagar and was into buying and selling used cars, while his father was running a grocery store in Katpadi.

Preliminary enquiries revealed that Madhan’s family was in heavy debt that swelled over Rs 60 lakh. Unable to repay the mounting debts and interest, Madhan committed suicide around 3.30 am on Saturday, said Katpadi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mathivanan. Egambaram and his wife jumped into the temple tank to end their lives, said the police officer and added that a year ago, Madhan’s brother Gopi had also committed suicide due to debts.

Vijayashree, who married Madhan 18 months ago, told the police that her husband was worried over the debts. In fact, a week ago, Madhan, his wife and parents had gone to Chennai to end their lives by jumping into the sea. However, Vijayashree dissuaded them and convinced Madhan and his parents that they could sell their property and settle the debts. She also pleaded with her husband not to take any adverse decision, said the police.

Madhan took Vijayshree to her mother’s house at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Vellore on June 24 and asked to her to be with her parents for few days. “Madhan dropped Vijayashree at her parent’s house promising her that he will come and take her with him after settling all the debts,” said the DSP.

The police seized a death note left by Madhan. They ruled out harassment from moneylenders and financiers but refused to disclose the content of the note.