Bangalore: Broke, man's will to live breaks down

In a dramatic incident, 24-year-old youth tried to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pills near the chief minister’s official residence on Sunday afternoon.

Police said Basavaraju, who hails from Molakalmuru, Chitradurga district, had come to Bangalore to meet chief minister Siddaramaiah at the Janata Darshan programme organised four days ago, to seek financial help for his parents’ treatment. But officials did not allow him inside as he had no proper documents.

On Sunday, at 11.30 am, Basavaraju again turned up at the CM’s residence, but was denied entry. Upset over not being able to meet the CM, Basavaraju went towards the Windsor Manor bridge and swallowed nearly 20 sleeping pills he had in his possession. Basavaraju was immediately rushed to a private hospital.

“He said he had no money for his parents’ treatment and even his health was precarious. He had borrowed Rs3-4 lakhs for medical expenses, which he had been unable to repay,” police said.

Police said Basavaraju also had a note addressed to the CM. “He had requested the CM to give capital punishment to rapists, not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, stop illegal mining, to waive farmers’ loan, to eradicate social evils like child marriage, dowry and other problems,” police said.

Reportedly, he had also called up few media houses to inform them of his plan to commit suicide in front of the CM’s house.

The High Grounds police have registered a case.