The Kerala Police on Thursday, January 9 booked Sulthan Bathery Congress MLA IC Balakrishnan, Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) president ND Appachan and other party leaders in the suicide case of NM Vijayan, who was the former treasurer of the DCC.
The First Information Report (FIR) includes the names of Balakrishnan, Appachan, Congress leader KK Gopinathan and another leader KL Paulose.
Two letters allegedly written by Vijayan before he died by suicide had accused the MLA and DCC president of taking bribes for offering jobs at the Congress-controlled cooperative bank in his constituency. Vijayan also alleged he had a huge debt due to the financial transactions with the Congress leaders.
Vijayan and his son Jijesh (38), a former employee of the Sulthan Bathery Urban Cooperative Bank died, were found in a critical condition at their residence on December 24 and were shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode, where they succumbed.
In his suicide note, Vijayan addressed his elder son Vijesh that he wanted this note to be handed over to the Congress leaders, and then to the Wayanad district police chief after 10 days if the party fails to act. It is based on this letter that the Wayanad police has now registered an FIR against the top Congress leaders.
Reacting to this, Appachan said, “Just see how the Pinarayi Vijayan government is dealing with cases. We all saw PV Anvar (a two-time legislator who shifted loyalties from the Left camp) being arrested and sent to jail. So, this move against us by the police is nothing new. My hands are clean. Now that I am being included as accused in the FIR, I will fight the case.”
Meanwhile, Congress leaders led by veteran legislator and former Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, visited Vijesh and Vijayan’s wife assuring all support, and the family has expressed full faith in their father’s party.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.
(With inputs from IANS)