Autorickshaw driver hangs self to death in Bengaluru [Representative image] | Photo Credit: IANS

Key Highlights The victim’s family was reeling under a huge debt of nearly Rs 4 lakh and he was stressed over the financial obligation to repay it A day before his alleged suicide, his older sister rebuked him for not making money and wasting time Business owners across several sectors are bearing the brunt of losses due to the coronavirus pandemic

Bengaluru: With the centre and the state governments advising people to practice social distancing and restricting unnecessary movement, businesses across several sectors have been hit worldwide. However, the worst-hit are the ones who sustain themselves by earning money through their day to day activities. In what could possibly be one of the first fatalities of the severe economic burden on daily wagers and other low-income people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an autorickshaw driver in Bengaluru allegedly ended his life on Thursday over the loss of income for over fifteen days now.

Victim reprimanded for not earning

The deceased, identified as Shivakumar (24), who was a resident of Moti Gardens in RT Nagar Post, allegedly hung himself to death at around 8:30 am on Thursday in his house. Reportedly, he turned 24 on February 29. A day before his alleged suicide, his older sister rebuked him for not making money and wasting time at home.

Victim's family reeling under huge debt

According to a report of the New Indian Express, Shivakumar’s family was reeling under debt of nearly Rs 4 lakh because of his elder brother, who is an alcohol addict. Earlier, Shivakumar was employed in an office where he used to get paid Rs 20,000 per month. The family had only one asset- the autorickshaw which was mortgaged by his alcohol addict elder brother.

The now-deceased youth managed to free the vehicle and began driving it. But in the face of deepening COVID-19 threat, the streets ran out of passengers as people confined themselves indoors.

Victim was deeply stressed

According to Shivakumar’s friends, he was extremely anxious over the loss of daily income and the unpredictability over the end of coronavirus crisis. He was also stressed over the financial obligation of repaying the family debt. The police have registered the victim’s death as UDR (Unnatural Death Report).