Debt-ridden farmer commits suicide

New Delhi: The body of a 32-year-old farmer was found near a canal in Makaropur village here with family members claiming that he committed suicide over towering debts.

Sukhwinder Singh was missing since February 24 and his body was found near the Bhakra canal today. His relatives said that he was “disturbed” over a debt of nearly Rs 20 lakh, police said.

They also claimed that Sukhwinder had taken a loan of Rs 15 lakh from a bank, and Rs 2 lakh each from a cooperative society and a commission agent, police said.

He had invested this money in dairy business, family members said.

Sukhwinder’s close relative Kesar Singh said that he was incurring losses from the business and was “upset” about it. He has a three-year-old daughter, he said.

The farmer was missing since February 24 and his car was recovered from near the Bhakra canal near Khalaspur. His body was found in Ghanour in Makaropur, Additional Sub-Inspector Shashwat said.

The police have registered a case of suicide case on the statement of the deceased’s relatives and the matter is being investigated, he said.

—PTI