Sunil Lohan
A small trader allegedly died by suicide in Channasandra under Kadugodi police limits after claiming that he was being harassed and pressured for money by individuals threatening to implicate him in an SC/ST Atrocities Act case.
The deceased has been identified as Papanna,a resident of Channasandra.
Before taking the extreme step,he reportedly recorded a video in which he alleged that a woman named Nayana and others had been demanding money from him and threatening to file a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes(Prevention of Atrocities)Act.
In the video,Papanna allegedly claimed that the woman was demanding Rs.10 lakh and had earlier filed a similar case against him in 2021.
He further alleged that he had already paid a substantial amount to settle the earlier dispute and was once again being subjected to demands for money.
Stating that he was a small trader and the sole breadwinner of his family,Papanna reportedly appealed for protection for his family members and sought action against those he accused of harassing him.
Following his death,a complaint was lodged by his sister, Bhagyashree.
Based on the complaint,Kadugodi Police have registered a case and taken three accused—identified as Jogi Seena,Prashanth and Santosh—into custody for questioning.
Police are investigating the allegations made in the suicide video and examining whether sustained harassment,intimidation or extortion attempts led to the trader taking the extreme step.Further investigation is underway.
