An Indian labourer, burdened with debt, on Monday set himself and family on fire, killing his wife and two daughters in Kasidharmam village, Tirunelveli, India.
Local media reports that the man Esakimuthu, overwhelmed by pressures from a loan company, set wife Subbulakshmi and daughters Mathi Saranya, 4 and Akshaya Bharanitha, 18 months, on fire.
While Esakimuthu, 27, who suffered serious burns, is presently battling for life, his wife and daughters, died of their burn injuries at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.
The man and his family were reportedly driven to the extreme step by a loan shark who harassed them even after complaints were lodged against the usurer with the police and district collector several times.
The police said that the 27-year-old, who is working in a mill in Coimbatore, brought his wife and two daughters to the district collectorate when a grievance redressal meeting was underway around 10.30 am.
It is understood that Esakimuthu suddenly emptied a can of kerosene on himself and family, set fire. As the family of four went up in flames the police deployed at the collectorate laboured to quench the flames andthen later rushed them to the medical college hospital.
Unfortunately, the mother and daughters died by evening. Esakimuthu survived with about 75 per cent burns and is said to be in critical condition.
Mr. Esakimuthu reportedly borrowed Rs 1.45 lakh from a moneylender Muthulakshmi to help a relation. Despite paying Rs 2.34 lakh back to the lender and the interest, the woman harassed him demanding settlement for the outstanding.
Esakimuthu had lodged a complaint against Muthulakshmi with the Achchanpudhur police and had submitted petitions to the district collector several times, yet he got no respite from his creditor.
See graphic photos below…
cpcnews.org 