VALLIKUNNAM: A man committed suicide following threats from three collection agents from a private financial firm. The deceased has been identified as Sasi (60), a native of Kaduvinal, Vallikunnam.

According to sources, Sasi locked himself inside the house and hanged himself while the agents continued issuing threats. As he did not respond, the three agents, including a woman, informed his daughter-in-law, who was at a neighbouring house, and then left the scene in their vehicles. The incident occurred on Monday evening. Relatives alleged that constant threats and humiliation by collection agents led Sasi to take this drastic step. Vallikunnam police have launched an investigation.

Sasi, a wood-loading labourer, had taken a loan of Rs 1 lakh from the private finance firm to meet obligations related to house construction. On Monday, which marked the end of the month, two collection agents from the firm came to his house demanding repayment. Sasi informed them that the money would be given once his wife, who works at a private hospital, returned home after her shift. However, they reportedly left after issuing threats.

At around 4 p.m., three individuals, including a woman, came back and allegedly shouted at Sasi, hurled abuses, and threatened him. According to the family, due to their aggressive behaviour, Sasi asked his daughter-in-law to go to a nearby relative’s house. While the agents were still at the house, Sasi went inside and took his life.

After a postmortem at the Medical College Hospital, the body was shifted to a private hospital mortuary in Vettikottai. The funeral will be held on Wednesday after his son Sharath, who is abroad, returns. Sasi is survived by his wife Radha, sons Sharath and Sharun, and daughters-in-law Anagha and Arya.