Loan of three lakh; man commits suicide following wife's disappearance

KAYAMKULAM: In a tragic incident, a man committed suicide after his wife left home due to overwhelming financial difficulties. The deceased has been identified as Kannampally Bhagom native Vinod (49). His wife, Ranjini, had been missing for two months. Ranjini, the secretary of a Kudumbashree unit, left home on June 11 after telling her family that she was going to the bank. However, investigations later revealed that she never arrived at the bank.

CCTV footage showed her reaching Kayamkulam in an autorickshaw and walking towards the railway station. Despite extensive searches, including at relatives’ houses, her whereabouts remain unknown. The family was reportedly under heavy debt, including a Rs 1.5 lakh bank loan taken by Ranjini. In a bid to persuade her to return, Vinod had posted a video on social media assuring her that he would settle the debts. However, Ranjini did not see the video as she was not using a mobile phone.

Unable to cope with emotional and financial strain, Vinod ended his life at his house. Ranjini, who is now working as a home nurse in Kannur, was reportedly unaware of her husband's death at the time. Following the post-mortem, Vinod's body was cremated. He is survived by son Vishnu and daughter Devika.