MADURAI
In an alleged case of usury, the Madurai city police on Friday arrested five people for harassing a woman, who attempted suicide by consuming pesticide.
Police sources said that the woman named G. Jothi Selvi (28) from Melathoppu in Sellur had borrowed ₹ 1,000 from a neighbouring family in September 2017 at an interest rate of 20 %. As she reportedly failed to pay the interest money for March 2018, members of the family verbally abused and threatened her at her residence.
Dejected by the incident, Ms. Jothi Selvi consumed pesticide on Friday morning and was taken to Government Rajaji Hospital, where she is presently recuperating, the police said.
The Sellur police booked six people, including three women, under provisions of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act. Of the six, R. Thangapandi (36), T. Chithra (31), K. Manimala (35), S. Pandiammal (46), and R. Sivanesan were arrested and remanded on judicial custody after producing them before a judicial magistrate.
Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.
