K’taka man dies by suicide; video note alleges harassment by moneylenders

Gadag, July 10 (IANS) A man allegedly died by suicide after being subjected to continuous harassment and threats by moneylenders over a loan in Karemma Kallu Layout in Karnataka’s Gadag city, police said.

The deceased was identified as Sampath Dandagi, who owned a bookstore and was also involved in the real estate business. Before hanging himself at his residence, Sampath recorded a video and also left behind a detailed death note, allegedly blaming the moneylenders for driving him to take the extreme step.

According to preliminary information, Sampath had borrowed Rs 15 lakh and had been paying around Rs 56,000 as monthly interest. However, after he failed to pay the interest for one month, the lenders allegedly began threatening and harassing him with frequent phone calls.

Despite repeated assurances from Sampath’s family that they would repay the loan amount in instalments, the harassment allegedly continued.

The family has named Ravi Shivanagutti, Shashi Shivanagutti and Dharma Gouda Kari Gouda, accusing them of threatening Sampath and his wife.

In the video recorded before his death, Sampath said he was taking the step out of extreme frustration and mental agony.

“I am recording this video with immense frustration. No one should ever help others beyond their capacity. I am losing my life because I chose to help people in need. I worked hard to ensure that my parents and family lived comfortably, but when I faced hardship, no one came to my rescue,” he said.

He further said that people around him had begun valuing status, property and gold over human relationships and that he was ending his life after enduring unbearable suffering. He further stated that he is not able to take the harassment by moneylenders and is taking the extreme step.

His wife alleged that the lenders subjected her husband to relentless harassment.

“Kari Gouda used to call my husband every day and threaten him. Ravi Shivanagutti also sent messages saying he would present the cheque. They repeatedly took my husband away and harassed him. He has left behind me and our three young children. I do not know how I will take care of them now,” she said.

Family members said Sampath had taken the loan along with his friends to expand his business. After suffering financial losses, he informed the lenders that he would repay the principal amount in stages but requested them to stop charging interest. Instead, they allegedly intensified the harassment, pushing him to take the extreme step.

Sampath’s mother, Geetha, said he had called his daughter shortly before his death and expressed fear that the lenders would continue to harass the family if he remained alive.

“He told her that if he stayed alive, they would come home and trouble everyone. He felt that if he was gone, at least the family could live peacefully,” she said.

The incident has once again brought the focus on the alleged operation of an illegal high-interest lending network in the Gadag-Betageri twin cities. Although police have previously initiated action against such moneylenders and identified several for externment from the district, residents allege that the illegal lending racket continues to thrive.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the allegations. They are examining the video, death note and other evidence left behind by the deceased.

–IANS

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