Mangalore: Attempts to harm reputation led Shailesh to end life, reveals death note
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Update: August 15
Mangalore, Aug 15: The deaths of three members of a family, including a child, in an apparent suicide pact has sent shockwaves and left a pall of gloom in Hoigebail area. Shailesh, his wife Savitha and their 10-year-old daughter Vidhyalakshmi were found dead in their residence 'Srinivasa' on Thursday August 14 afternoon.
It has come to light that financial crisis and allegations aimed at slandering his name by certain persons led Shailesh to take this extreme step.
Shailesh had been running Akshaya finance firm for the last seven years. Initially, there were four partners, out of which two backed out later, and Shailesh and another partner were running the firm till date. It is said that after the two partners left, the firm underwent losses. The firm promised high interest rates to investors and many people deposited their money, it is learnt. However, after the two partners left, those who had taken loans from the firm failed to pay back on time, which led to losses and heavy financial crisis. Shailesh then decided to free himself of the troubles by ending his life along with that of his wife and daughter, it is said.
In the four-page death note, Shailesh stated a number of reasons that led him to commit suicide. The death note names several persons including Uday, Harish and others. Shailesh stated that Uday was pestering him to pay him money, even though Shailesh reportedly did not owe him anything. He was constantly asking him money that someone else had given, Shailesh said, adding that Uday even filed a complaint against him with police and attempted to slander his name in some of the media too.
"It was projected that I owed him Rs two crore, and when my wife and child came to know of this, they were horrified and did not want to live anymore. My reputation was harmed in some of the media which had published a picture of me putting a garland of currency notes on a person disguised in tiger costume," stated the death note.
Police sources said that based on Uday's complaint, a case was filed against Shailesh and a chargesheet too was submitted.
Speaking to media persons about the circumstances that led to the discovery of the bodies, Shailesh's friend and former corporator Kamalaksha Salian said, "Shailesh and I became friends several years ago. I spoke to him on phone on Tuesday. After that, whenever I called the phone would ring without anyone answering the call. Many others also phoned Shailesh but their calls too went unanswered. Hence it seems that they might have died on Tuesday night. The watchman of the apartments suspected that something was wrong, and when he looked in through the bedroom window, he saw the child lying lifeless. He then alerted the neighbours and together we broke open the door."
He further said, "Shailesh had received threats some years ago, but I do not know of any threats in recent times. I never imagined that the family would take such an extreme step."
Ice cream cups were found near the bodies, and it is suspected that Shailesh might have mixed poison with the ice cream and given to the child and her mother, before himself committing suicide by hanging. A bottle of liquor too was found.
Police commissioner R Hitendra, ACP Tilakchandra and others were at the spot. Further investigations are in progress.
Earlier News: August 14
Mangalore: Financial loss drives family of three to suicide
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Aug 14: In an apparent suicide pact, a man, his wife and their child were found dead at their residence at Hoigebail here on Thursday August 14.
The deceased have been identified as Shailesh (39), his wife Savitha and their daughter Vidhyalaxmi (10).
The incident came to light on Thursday afternoon, but it is suspected that they might have died two days ago.
It is said that the security guard at the apartments where they stay grew suspicious as none of the residents ventured out of their house for the past two days, he went to check. When no one answered the door, he alerted the neighbours, and when the door was finally opened, all three were found dead. Incidentally, the television was on when the door was forced open.
Shailesh was found hanging while Savitha is suspected to have consumed poison after administering the same to their daughter.
Vidyalakshmi was a student of 5th standard in Canara School. The family had been earlier residing in Boloor. Neighbours said that they were last seen on Tuesday August 12.
Shailesh left behind a four-page death note wherein he stated that financial loss had led him and his wife to take this extreme step. He was running Akshaya finance firm, and after his partners left the firm over some dispute, he suffered huge losses.
The bodies were sent for post-mortem.
Urwa police led by cirlce inspector Ramachandra Maledevar arrived at the spot. A case has been registered and further investigations are on.