KANNUR: The family of the matron, who committed suicide at the government’s old-age home at Azhikode, said that she took the drastic step following mental harassment from her superiors. The family of Jyotsna said that her superior forced a nurse to lodge a complaint against her and suspended without seeking an explanation.

Jyotsna was suspended following the complaint of a temporary nurse that she had been forced to bathe a male inmate of the old-age home. The matron committed suicide four days after her suspension. The nurse sent the complaint to the capital city even without informing the superintendent of the old-age home.

Meantime, the police and the department of social justice have started a probe on the complaint of the matron’s family. Pavithran Thaikandi, the district officer of the social justice department, said that he is innocent in the case. He had served as the superintendent of the same old-age home for three years. At that time there were differences of opinion between the two. Her family alleged that he took revenge on her when he came as the district officer.