Harassment by operators of an online loan app allegedly drove a youth to suicide in Hyderabad. Unable to bear the harassment by the app operators, Rajkumar killed himself at his house in Jiyaguda under the limits of Kulsumpura police station on Monday, the police said on Tuesday.
The family of Rajkumar, a private employee, told the police that he had taken Rs 12,000 through an online loan app and repaid Rs 4,000 through EMIs. While taking the loan, the youth had given contact numbers of friends as reference. Since he failed to repay the remaining amount, the app organisers sent messages to his friends.
Rajukumar, who felt humiliated, killed himself when no one was at home. On a complaint lodged by her mother, the police have registered a case and taken up the investigation.
The latest incident has come to light even as the police in Greater Hyderabad intensified crackdown on online loan apps in recent times after fresh cases of harassment were reported.
Last year, six persons had died by suicide in Telangana due to harassment by agents hired by instant loan apps.
As many as 50 cases of harassment were reported from Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates, which cover Hyderabad and its surroundings. Some of the apps were found linked to Chinese nationals.
In many cases, the agents demanded more money even after the clients had cleared the dues. According to the police, messages sent to references given by clients while taking loans and threats led to the suicides.
Last month, the Hyderabad police had busted a fraud case related to a loan app run by a Chinese national in Bengaluru. The police had arrested two residents of Karnataka, who were running a call centre and offering loans through six loan applications under the supervision of a Chinese national.
In February, recovery agents of a loan app had falsely branded a man as a rapist so as to force him to repay the loan.
According to the police, in majority of the cases reported, the agents sent messages to the clients' families and friends to name and shame them.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 amd and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to inidviduals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.