DUBAI: The Dubai police said the Malayali expatriate who cut the arteries in his legs and then jumped from the top of a building was not because he contracted COVID-19. Ashokan Purushothaman (47), a native of Prakkulam in Kollam committed suicide on Friday. Police denied the reports that he took the drastic step following fear of contracting the disease. He committed suicide due to personal reasons. The building is clean and there are no infection cases there, the police said.

Indian Council General Vipul said, “We are yet to get more information from the police. Considering the death was of unnatural circumstances, authorities will conduct due forensic tests and provide us with more details.”

Ashokan jumped from the third floor of a building and landed on a bus parked below. Though he was rushed to Rashid Hospital, his life could not be saved and succumbed to the severe injuries he suffered.

He was working as a foreman in a company in Dubai. He was to visit his family in Kerala in March but postponed due to the lockdown. His samples were given for COVID-19 testing.

He is survived by his wife and two children.