Shamed by app-based loan firm, 27-yr-old load man kills self

This is the second such case near Chennai in less than a month, while two similar deaths were reported in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in just a week.

The deceased, R Vivek of Palayanoor village in Maduranthagam, was a load man of a private firm in Mamandur.

A few months ago, he had availed an instant loan of Rs 4,000 through a mobile application when his father fell ill.

As he failed to repay on time, a customer care representative contacted Vivek a few days ago and asked him to return the money immediately, failing which he would be shamed before his friends. On Monday, a few of his friends whose numbers Vivek had saved as emergency contact received text message stating that he owed the company Rs 4,305, and added that legal action would be taken if he failed to pay immediately. Not stopping there, the message allegedly said Vivek was into illegal activities.

When his friends contacted him asked about this, Vivek grew dejected and killed himself on Monday night by jumping in a well in his village. The local police retrieved his body and sent it to Chengalpattu government hospital for post-mortem examination.

On Tuesday morning, more than 50 persons gathered in front of the Padalam police station, demanding action against the fintech firm that drove the man to the extreme step. They finally dispersed after the officials assured that action would be taken.

On November 23, Sai Aravind, a 23-year-old software engineer, died by suicide at his house near Adambakkam, after the app-based firm from whom he had availed a small loan sent messages to his relatives and friends terming him a fraud.