A man and his mother died by suicide allegedly due to harassment by a public representative, his followers and a police officer in Telangana's Medak district. The shocking incident occurred on Saturday, April 16, at a lodge in Kamareddy town. The lodge staff alerted the police, who found both the persons dead. They were identified as Gangam Santosh (40) and his mother Padma (65), residents of Ramayampet in Medak district.
Santosh, who was in the real estate business, and his mother, recorded a selfie video and wrote a suicide note before dying by suicide. In the six-page suicide note and selfie video posted by Santosh on Facebook, they said that harassment by Ramayampet municipal chairman Jithendar Goud, his followers and police forced them to take the extreme step.
In the selfie video, Santosh showed pictures of seven persons, saying they were responsible for their death. He said though he complained to the police against these persons, no action was taken as they belonged to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). He hoped that justice would be done at least after they were dead.
Santosh said he started the business with a person named Basam Srinu and since the latter did not have money, Jithendar Goud lent him the money. He said Jithendar Goud wanted 50% share in the business and when he refused, the municipal chairman started harassing him. Santosh said he was called to the police station for a Facebook post of someone else and then Circle Inspector Nagarjuna Goud took away his phone and tried to implicate him in the case.
"The CI handed over my phone data to Jithendar Goud and his men started creating problems for me using the data. They have been harassing me for one year. They did not allow my business to run. I had to take loans. They harassed my family members. Unable to bear this harassment and betrayal by those we trusted, we are killing ourselves," he said.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Ramayampet town as a large number of people gathered in front of the municipal chairman's house with the bodies of Santosh and Padma. Raising slogans seeking justice, they demanded action against Jithendar Goud. The municipal chairman had already locked his house and left for an undisclosed location. The police were trying to pacify the protesters.
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.