New turn to Tirunelveli usury case as cops claim self-immolators too were lenders

TIRUNELVELI: A day after the horrific self-immolation by four of a family here over usury, Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police Arunsakthikumar said the case needed a thorough investigaton before arriving at any conclusion.  

On Monday, the district collectorate was shocked when Isakkimuthu (30) and Subbulakhmi (28) set their girl children, Mathi Saranya (4), Atchaya Baranika (2) on fire before setting themselves ablaze. While Subbulakhmi and the two children succumbed to the 70 per cent burn injuries at the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH), Isakkimuthu is under treatment at the critical care unit.

What raised eyebrows was the shocking statement made by the relatives of the victims, who alleged that the fact that police personnel acted in collusion with the money lender and the apathetic attitude of the administration towards the victims were responsible for the drastic step taken by the couple.

However, when reporters inquired about the alleged threat made to the victims by two police personnel, the SP said: “A relative of the couple has reportedly claimed that he possesses evidence against the policemen. We have already asked him to submit it for further action.” Reportedly, Isakkimuthu’s brother Gopi claimed that he has the audio recording in which the officials were threatening the victims over phone.

Arunsakthikumar listed the monetary and jewellery transactions that took place between the couple and six local persons from the couple’s native place, Kasitharmam village. He added that Isakkimuthu and Subbulakshmi not only obtained money from five more persons from the area, they also lent money to the locals.

According to the press note issued by the office of the SP, the couple reportedly obtained Rs 1,45,000 from one T Muthulakhsmi in 2016. In order to repay the money they owed to one Isakkiyammal, they also allegedly acquired 19 g of gold from Muthulakshmi.

They also took a loan of Rs 1,20,000 from five persons - K Sangareshwari, R Kutti, I Isakkiyammal, K Thangarani and K Mathavi alias Mathuri to meet their family expenses and in order to buy a housing plot, police said. “Though had their own house, using the money they obtained from the above persons, the couple had entered into two house leasehold agreements with one Sengottai Raj and S Muppudathithevar by paying Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000, respectively. That apart, they also bought a 1.5 cent land and had been lending money to the locals for interest.” the note read.

The SP also claimed that one P Kannammal from Kasitharmam village had lodged a complaint with Achanputhur police in  April last stating that Subbulakshmi helped her mortgage a 48 g gold jewellery for Rs 95,000 at a bank without a receipt. “Kannammal complained that though she took a loan of Rs 65,000 from Subbulakshmi for an interest of Rs 6,500 for 10 days, the latter claimed that she gave Rs 1,00,000 as loan. As both Subbulakshmi and Kannammal decided to sort out the issue among themselves, the case was closed,” Arunsakthikumar added. Also, Muthulakshmi had lodged a police complaint saying the couple was refusing to return her loaned money.