Indian Man ‘ridden by debt’ sets family on fire killing wife and daughter
Loan shark was pressuring the labourer to pay more interest on a loan, officials say
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A loan shark has been arrested after man set himself and his family alight in an attempt to escape his crippling debt.
Identified only as Esakimuthu, the financially insolvent labourer from India's southern Tirunelveli region had taken a loan of 142,000 rupees (£1,600) to start a business.
But although he had already paid back twice the amount he had borrowed, he remained under pressure to pay more interest on his original loan.
Facing an estimated £2,300 in further repayments, he decided instead to douse himself and his family with kerosene and set them alight.
It is believed he decided to burn his family because he knew that they would face the burden of the debt if he only took his own life.
While his wife and child perished in the blaze, he survived, although the extent of his injuries are unknown.
"We have started an investigation over allegations that the police and officials didn't help the man," local official Sandeep Nanduri told the Agence France Presse news agency. "A police officer has been transferred and his role is being investigated."
The lender has since been arrested on charges of assisting suicide and breaching laws on charging exorbitant interest.
Low-income Indians, many of them farmers, are denied bank loans and rely on unscrupulous lenders to offer solutions.
In August, hundreds of farmers – some carrying human skulls they said were from farmers who committed suicide in the drought-stricken southern state of Tamil Nadu –staged what they said was a 100-day protest in New Delhi to “prevent the suicide of farmers who feed the nation”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments