Suicide note: Family row led to suicides because of bank’s threat in Marayamuttom

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The suicide of Lekha and her daughter Vaishnavi in Marayamuttom near Neyyattinkara on Tuesday which was suspected to be because of the bank’s threat to attach the house for non repayment of loan, took an entirely different turn on Wednesday with the emergence of a suicide note attributing the tragic incident to family feud.

The police arrested Lekha’s husband Chandran, his mother Krishnamma and her sister Shanthi and husband Kashi whose names were specifically mentioned in the suicide note.  A case was registered against them under Section 309 of the IPC for abettment to suicide. They were remanded in custody.   

Meanwhile, the cremation of Lekha and daughter Vaishnavi took place in the house premises later in the day. The police brought Chandran to the house at the time of cremation. The three-page suicide note was found pasted on the wall of the room where Lekha along with daughter Vaishnavi set themselves on fire.
According to relatives of Lekha, black magic used to be performed at the house regularly.

According to Lekha’s brother-in-law Devarajan, black magic was performed at Chandran’s house even on Monday for speeding up the sale of the house. Lekha had opposed black magic.

The investigations carried out by Neyyattinkara CI had initially moved on the direction of loan repayment related suicide and the allegations of harassment by bank officials. However, after getting the suicide note the entire case took a dramatic turn bringing the family under the scanner.

In the suicide note purportedly written by Lekha, she said: Even in the face of attachment of the house, my husband Chandran didn’t do anything. His mother Krishnamma raised objections to selling off the property for repaying the loan. She was against selling the house because it had a thulasi thara. Chandran instead of finding customers for the sale used to do frequent pujas.

They used to conduct black magic in the house and spread canards against me and my daughter. Krishnamma tortured me frequently in the name of dowry and she had even tried to kill me by giving poison. They were also planning a second marriage for Chandran.”

Significantly there was no mention of the bank loan or attachment of house in the suicide note. The mother daughter duo had also scribbled on the wall with charcoal that Chandran and his relatives were responsible for their  death.

Based on the allegations and the names mentioned in the suicide note, the police took Chandran and his relatives in custody and subjected them to detailed questioning. Chandran confirmed there were frequent fights between his mother and wife. He held his mother responsible for the tension in the house.

“We saw the suicide note which was pasted on the wall when we examined the room this morning. It clearly mentions the names of the four persons who have been taken into custody. Since scientific and forensic inspection was required in the room, the suicide note was examined in detail only this morning,” said Thiruvananthapruam Rural SP B. Ashokan.

The police said Chandran’s behaviour had also raised suspicion. There was no tension on his face and he appeared normal speaking to media even after losing his daughter in such a tragic manner and when his wife was battling for life in medical college hospital.

Meanwhile, the police has confirmed that the bank was not responsible for the suicide. The bank authorities were only carrying out the routine procedures in connection with the recovery of loan and the allegations of harassment have not been confirmed.

Whether the bank harassment story was weaved by the accused is yet to be ascertained. Earlier the ADM in his report submitted to the government had pointed out that the deaths were the result of harassment of by bank.

Misleading reports caused anger: Canara Bank GM
Canara Bank on Wednesday said the misleading reports on suicide of Lekha and her daughter  Vaishnavi had created widespread anger among the public against the bank and its officials at large.

In a statement here, Canara Bank General Manager G.K. Maya said the truth behind the incident has brought great relief to the bank officials. The bank officials had discharged their duties adhering to the process of law. There was neither harassment nor pressure from bank on the borrower or family members, she said.

The bank came to know from the media that the Lekha and her daughter Vaishnavi attempted suicide and died on May 14. The incident was reported in a negative manner accusing the bank and its officials.

The statement said; "Mr Chandran Rudran, had availed a housing loan from our Neyyatinkara Branch on 14/11/2005 for Rs 5 lakh only against security of 4.20 ares 'of land and building standing in the name of Sri Chandran Rudran and guarantee of Smt Lekha W/o Chandran Rudran. The borrower defaulted in repayment of loan and the account slipped to NPA, on 29/04/2010."

The bank granted sufficient time for repayment of the loan and after waiting for more than 8 years, initiated action under SARFAESI by issuing demand notice on 21/04/2018 giving 60 days notice to discharge their liabilities. Thereafter after giving sufficient time, took symbolic possession of the property on 01/12/2018 and approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court for taking physical possession.

As per the orders of the chief judicial magistrate, the advocate commissioner along with police personnel visited the secured property for taking physical possession on 10/05/2019 for execution of the court order. On the said date fixed for taking physical possession by the advocate commissioner, the borrower requested the advocate commissioner to provide 4 days time to repay the loan amount as he expected to receive an advance from the proposed buyer of the property on 14th May, 2019. He gave a letter to the commissioner stating the same. At the request of the borrower the advocate commissioner has deferred the execution of the court order and returned without taking physical possession, the statement added.