Chennai cops perform final rites after aged couple end lives due to poverty, sons' neglect

Chennai: An aged couple ended their lives in Chennai, owing to poverty and their sons’ neglect. The couple, who committed suicide on July 22, left behind a suicide note from which it was understood that the couple’s last wish was to be cremated by the police. 

The cops from the nearby Sembium Police Station registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC, that deals with unnatural death and later performed the last rites. The couple, Gunasekaran (65) and Selvi (58) had three sons, of which two of them were married and were staying in other parts of the city. The police said that their third son was unemployed and used to squander money on liquor. 

The elderly man used to work as a security guard at a nearby tennis court, but his earnings were badly hit after the lockdown was imposed and he was forced to stay at home. After losing his job, without enough money to sustain their basic needs or pay the rent the couple were said to be struggling.

Out of helplessness, the parents had pleaded with their sons for some monetary help, which was not forthcoming, despite repeated requests. This had badly affected the senior person and prompted the couple to take the extreme step, the police said.

The cops, who were alerted by the couple’s neighbours sent the mortal remains to the Government Hospital in Kilpauk. On searching the house, the cops recovered a suicide note in Tamil. “No one is responsible for our death. Cops, please consider it our wish and perform the final rites,” the note scribbled on a small piece of paper read. 

A further investigation is underway in the matter.