Ex-serviceman commits suicide over debt harassment

New Delhi: Harassed by a couple over loan, a retired Navy personnel on Thursday committed suicide by jumping into the Yamuna river here, police said.

Police said Vinu Kumar Madan, who retired as a naval storekeeper living along with his wife and one daughter in Vinoba Puri in Lajpat Nagar area in south Delhi, jumped off the bridge at the DND flyover around 2 p.m.

Divers rushed to the spot later fished out the body. His two-wheeler, driving licence, bank passbooks, Aadhaar card, and a suicide note put in a polyethene bag were seized from the spot.

“Madan was depressed since he had taken a loan from a woman and there was some dispute regarding its repayment,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya said.

In his suicide note, the ex-serviceman said Poonam Sethi, from whom he had borrowed money, had made his life miserable for the last couple of months.

“After her marriage with Vickey Chaudhary, she made my life hell. The couple often forced me to spend money on their food, liquor, and other expenses. I have returned the money with interest, but she is not leaving me alone… now she is demanding Rs 5 lakh from me. I have become bankrupt and have no money… she is blackmailing me,” the note said.

Madan said he even took money from his daughter to pay her and that he was left with no option now.

Madan’s younger daughter works in a call centre in Gurugram while the elder one is married and settled in the United Kingdom.

“We are questioning the couple,” the officer said.

—IANS