The city’s J. P. Nagar area witnessed high drama on Saturday morning after an unidentified man threatened to leap off a three-storey building which houses the area’s local municipal councillor .
Anxiety and suspense built up among the residents of the locality when the 40-year-old man, suspected to be mentally ill, climbed atop the building and threatened onlookers that he would end his life if anyone attempted to approach him. His speech was incoherent, the police later said.
Despite the urgings of BBMP councillor Shakhambarinagar V. Somashekhar, whose house is in the building, the man refused to come down and further threatened to stab himself with a knife he was reportedly carrying, said the police.
The alarmed councillor called in the jurisdictional police as well as the fire and emergency services. A rescue team soon rushed to the spot with a safety net and mattresses. The man, who suddenly jumped from the terrace fell in the safety net, sustaining only minor injuries. The police have not been able to ascertain the reason for his action.
The man was first taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and later shifted to NIMHANS Hospital.
Quoting local residents, police said that the man had apparently been seen in the neighbourhood on Friday evening.
The councillor and other residents were also flummoxed as to how the man managed to climb the terrace which could not be accessed from the outside. Police suspect that the man scaled neighbouring buildings or a tree to gain access .
