MARAYOOR: A tribal youth committed suicide after recording a video against that forest officials. The deceased has been identified as Palapetty native Karthik (19).

Karthik was found hanging by around 12 noon yesterday. Before committing suicide, he recorded a video of himself and sent it to his friends. Karthik was arrested and remanded in custody by the forest officials months ago in connection with the theft of sandalwood. Karthik had told friends that he was innocent in the case. Friends said that Karthik was suffering from severe mental stress after getting released.

One week ago, the forest officials could not nab any of the culprits in the case of theft of sandalwood from the Palappetti area in Chinnar in Munnar Wildlife Division. Relatives alleged that Karthik committed suicide after the forest officials tried to bring him back under investigation in the incident. Karthik's body has been moved to Adimali Taluk hospital for post mortem.