Man cheated of ₹16 lakh over sainik school seats ends life

VISAKHAPATNAM: A 35-year-old man committed suicide after being duped of ₹16 lakh by a fraudster who promised seats for the man’s two children at the Sainik school in Korukonda of Vizianagaram district.

Police have identified the deceased as B. Ramakrishna, a native of Penubaka village in Rajam mandal of Vizianagaram district, and the fraudster as Asiri Naidu, a resident of Budidha Kanchara under Ponduru police station limits in Srikakulam district.

Ramakrishna consumed poison in front of Asiri Naidu’s house on Saturday. He was shifted to Government General Hospital in Srikakulam, where he succumbed on Sunday morning.

Ponduru sub-inspector S. Laxmana Rao said when Ramakrishna tried to get his two children admitted into the Sainik School, Korukonda, Asiri Naidu and his associates assured him of the seats and took ₹16 lakh from him.

However, when Asiri Naidu failed in getting the seats, Ramakrishna wanted his money returned. Asiri Naidu kept dilly-dallying on it when an exasperated Ramakrishna took his life in front of Asiri’s house.

Ramakrishna’s wife Rajani said her husband had approached Rajam police seeking action against Asiri Naidu a couple of months ago. But Rajam police did not accept his complaint citing various reasons.

Ramakrishna made his final attempt to get back his amount from Asiri Naidu on Saturday. When he failed, he consumed the poisonous substance and died.

A manhunt has been launched for the arrest of Asiri Naidu, who has been booked under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) and section 420 (cheating).

Police have shifted Ramakrishna’s body to the government hospital for post-mortem.