SP rules out usury theory behind self-immolation deaths

Citing information obtained after the preliminary inquiry into the Monday incident near the Tirunelvelil Collectorate, he said that Isakimuthu, the lone survivor, and his wife Subbulakshmi, had obtained loans from neighbours at MGR Nagar in Kasidharmam village and the lenders had lodged complaints against the couple at Achanputhur police station seeking help to get back their money. 

Muthulakshmi, who has been accused of usury and abetting the suicide of the family, was also one among the complaints. Isakimuthu were tenants in Muthulakshmi’s house in 2016 and the couple had taken Rs 1.45 lakh as loan in two instalments from the house owner. It is also said that they had borrowed 19 g of gold jewels from Muthulakshmi and had not returned it, said the SP. 

While Isakimuthu petitioned the Collector on September 4, 18, 25 and October 9, Muthulakshmi had lodged a complaint in the Achanputhur police station on August 18 seeking help to get back the money and jewels. 

Meanwhile, upset over not being able to get the money and jewels back, Muthulashmi on Sept 30 had reportedly consumed poison and was admitted to the Kadayanallur GH. 

The SP also said that Isakimuthu and his wife had obtained loans to the tune of Rs 2.8 lakh from six others from the same village and had not returned it. Based on Isakimuthu’s petitions, alleging usury by Muthulakshmi and harassment by Achanputhur police, to the Collector, which were forwarded to the district police, a team was sent to inquire into the charges. But, by then the couple had shifted their residence and could not be traced. There was no response even to summons issued by the police. 

He further said that a police team would submit a report in a week after a detailed probe into the incident.