KOCHI: A former KSRTC driver committed suicide by pouring petrol on himself and setting himself ablaze on a public road. The incident took place at 1.30 pm on Friday at Theekkollipara in Muvattupuzha on a road near the rubber plantation. The deceased has been identified as Kunnel KN Ajayakumar (Babykuttan 58), who lived near Muvattupuzha KSRTC depot. The preliminary conclusion of the police was that Ajayakumar committed suicide due to severe financial liability.

It was a neighbour who saw Ajayan setting himself ablaze. Although the locals rushed to the spot and tried to extinguish the fire, they were not able to do so. Following this, the fire force rushed to the spot. However, they were not able to save his life. The body, which has been shifted to Muvattupuzha Taluk Hospital Mortuary, will be handed over to relatives after postmortem.

Ajayakumar, who was a driver at the Muvattupuzha depot, retired two years ago. He had left a voice message in the WhatsApp group of KSRTC employees before committing suicide. Police have collected this. He reached the spot after visiting the temple in the morning. Police recovered bank documents and other items from his bike. Ajayakumar's daughter's marriage took place recently.