VARKALA: In a horrific incident, an autorickshaw driver committed suicide at the house of his female friend. The incident took place at Kannamba in Varkala. The deceased has been identified as Perunguzhi native Rajendran. Rajendran's body was found inside the house of his friend Bindu Vishwanathan. Sources said that Rajendran hanged himself after opening a gas cylinder and setting fire in the house. Bindu was not present there when the incident took place.

Rajendran was found dead when the Varkala police and fire force arrived at the spot at around 2 pm yesterday after locals reported seeing fire and smoke rising from his house. According to sources, two gas cylinders were found lying in the hall of the house. It is believed that Rajendran had opened one of the cylinders and set it on fire before he went to the bedroom to hang himself. Rajendran was found lying on the floor after the shawl burnt in the fire that spread from the hall to the bedroom. The furniture in the house got destroyed in the fire.

Rajendran has a wife and three children. Police said that he used to visit Bindu frequently. Bindu, who has been living alone, has two married daughters.

Rajendran reached Bindu's house when the latter went to Chottanikkara temple. He entered the house through the backdoor. The motive behind the suicide is not clear. Police have received indications that there was some financial dispute between Rajendran and Bindu. The body was shifted to the Varkala Taluk Hospital mortuary.