HYDERABAD: A 40-year-old realtor and his 65-year-old mother, who were from Ramayampet in Medak district, committed suicide by setting themselves ablaze due to alleged harassment by seven persons, including TRS leaders and a police inspector, at a lodge in Kamareddy district in the wee hours of Saturday. Incidentally, the twin suicides come close on the heels of a contractor killing himself at a lodge in Udupi in Karnataka, blaming a minister for demanding bribe to clear his bills.
The mother-son duo left a video message besides a suicide note naming the seven persons, including TRS leaders — Ramayampet municipal chairperson Jitendar Goud and Market Yard Committee chairman Yadagiri — and former Ramayampet circle inspector T Nagarjuna Goud, as responsible for their deaths. Nizamabad police registered a case under Section 306 (abetment to commit suicide) of the Indian Penal code (IPC) against them.
Later in the day, the bodies of G Santosh and his mother G Padma were moved from Kamareddy district to their native place in Medak. The bodies were taken straight to the residence of Jitendar, where hundreds of persons gathered and staged a protest.For two hours, the protestors raised slogans against police while demanding justice to the victims. With great difficulty police managed to convince the protestors by assuring that action would be taken against the 7 accused.Earlier in the day, around 5.30am, on seeing thick smoke emanating from a room in the lodge, locals alerted police and fire department officials, who reached the spot. When they entered the room, they found two charred bodies. Using details given by the victims at the time of taking the room, police established their identity as Santosh, a realtor, and his mother, Padma.
Police ascertained that Santosh and his mother committed suicide as they left video messages and a detailed suicide note, which were shared with different persons on social media.
"From last one and half year, I have been harassed by Jitendar with the support of 6 others. I and my family have been harassed in various ways including foisting a fake police complaint against me, making me suffer financial loss," a weeping Santosh said in his selfie video. A similar video was recorded by his mother Padma too. In both the videos, they showed the photos of the seven accused by mentioning their names. The victims accused them of abetting to commit suicide due to harassment.
Jitendar allegedly demanded that Santosh share 50% of profits in his business. However, the realtor rejected his demand. ``So, he a bore grudge against me. In an another instance, someone had morphed the photo of Jitendar and defamed him on social media. Jitendar lodged a false complaint against me and I appeared before police. My phone was seized by police and kept for several days before it was returned to me. On this issue, I lodged a complaint against inspector Nagarjuna Goud to the superintendent of police. But inspector had shared my personal information recovered from my phone with Jitendar, who started blackmailing and demanded money," Santosh said.
Four days ago, Santosh, Padma and his father Anjaiah reached Kamareddy for his mother's treatment. Two days ago, Anjaiah left for home whereas his wife and son stayed back for treatment. "We are yet to ascertain how they lit themselves. Since the whole room caught fire, fire department personnel had to douse it with water. So, what fuel was used we do not know," said Nizamabad deputy superintendent of police M Somanadham.
Nizamabad police registered a case under Section 306 (abetment to commit suicide) of the IPC against Ramayampet municipal chairperson P Jitendar Goud, Ramayampeta Market Yard chairman S Yadagiri, I Prithvi Raj, T Kiran, K Krishna Goud, S Swaraj and inspector T Nagarjuna Goud.
Hundreds of persons gathered outside Jitendar's residence and staged a protest with the bodies, demanding action against the Ramayampet civic chief and six others. They also pelted stones at Jitendar's residence.
Medak district superintendent of police Rohini Priyadarshini reached the location and gave a commitment that justice would be done to the victims' family. Santosh, in the suicide note, appealed to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, ministers KT Rama Rao, Harish Rao and others to make sure the accused were punished.
