Bengaluru: A 41-year-old fruit vendor from Bengaluru allegedly died by suicide after consuming aluminium phosphide, leaving behind a video message in which he accused several individuals of harassment, extortion, and falsely implicating him in criminal cases. The incident has sparked a police investigation, with four suspects already taken into custody on charges of abetment to suicide.
The deceased, identified as Papanna, was a resident of Channasandra in the Kadugodi area of Bengaluru. According to police officials, Papanna recorded and circulated a video shortly before taking the extreme step on Friday night. In the video, which was reportedly sent around 10.05 pm, he named several individuals, including Jogi Sheena, Prashanth, Narasappa, Radha and Nayana, along with others, alleging that they had been continuously harassing him and demanding money while threatening to implicate him in a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Papanna claimed that the accused had previously filed an atrocity case against him in 2021. He further alleged that a substantial amount of money, reportedly up to ₹10 lakh, had been paid to secure the withdrawal of that case. According to the video message, he was once again facing what he described as a false case and was unable to cope with the continued pressure and financial demands.
Describing himself as a poor street vendor struggling to make ends meet, Papanna stated that the alleged harassment had pushed him to a breaking point. He appealed to law enforcement authorities to take action against those he held responsible for his situation.
Following his death, Papanna’s sister, Bhagya S, who is also a social activist, lodged a complaint with the Kadugodi police. Based on her complaint and the contents of the video, police registered a case of abetment to suicide against the accused. Investigators are treating the video recording as a suicide note and are examining its contents as part of the probe.
A senior police officer confirmed that four individuals named in the case have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway to verify the allegations made by the deceased and determine the circumstances that led to his death. Police have stated that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
