Two letters allegedly written by NM Vijayan, former treasurer of the Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC), before he died by suicide has triggered a political row in Kerala. Vijayan and his son Jijesh (38), a former employee of the Sulthan Bathery Urban Cooperative Bank died, allegedly by suicide, on December 27.
The letters, which have been released by the family, purportedly mentioned names of Sulthanbathery Congress MLA IC Balakrishnan, DCC president ND Appachan and other local leaders of Congress and accused them of corruption. Vijayan alleged that the MLA took 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.
The father-son duo 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.
Vijayan had written six letters before his death. While one letter was addressed to his other son Vijesh, the other was addressed to several Congress leaders including Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, VD Satheesan, K Sudhakaran and the police.
In one of the letters, Vijayan apologised for incurring financial liabilities and said that he had dedicated his 50 years of life to Congress. He had also asked his elder son to wait for the party to take action before publicising its content. The letter mentioned that he owes approximately Rs 55 lakh, which he borrowed as a bank loan to cover liabilities imposed by the party. He said that he was forced into further financial burden as MLA Balakrishnan did not repay Rs 5 lakh loan.
The letter also reportedly mentioned that Vijayan provided collateral for Rs 10 lakh borrowed by Appachan, which led to a legal case. The reports indicate that Viajyan has a liability of Rs 1.5 crore in different banks.
Vijayan’s family told the media that they had shared the letter written to the son with other Congress leaders. However, it was only when they did not get an adequate reply, that they decided to go public with it.
Vijayan’s son Vijesh said he met KPCC president K Sudhakaran and leader of opposition VD Satheesan regarding this matter. But he did not receive any positive response. In the letter, Vijayan addressed Vijesh, specifically mentioning that, if the party leadership did not take any action, he should release the letter to the media and police.
KPCC president K Sudhakaran has now claimed that he did not read the contents of the letter.
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has formed a panel to investigate the allegations levelled in the letter. The committee members include KPCC disciplinary committee chairman Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, KPCC working president TN Prathapan and political affairs committee member Sunny Joseph.
A special investigation team, led by Sultan Bathery DySP Adbul Shareef is investigating the case. Following the release of the letter, Balakrishnan demanded a handwriting verification.
Following the release of the letter, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) members held a protest march to the office of Balakrishnan.
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.