A 32-year-old farmer committed suicide on Sunday allegedly after harassment by private money lenders. Sandeep Babasaheb Dhanavate, a small time cultivator from Rampurwadi village, 250 km. east of Pune, named three persons in his suicide note addressed to the Ahmednagar Superintendent of Police Krishna Prakash.
The police arrested the three on the charge of abetment to suicide.
Suresh Ashok Kudale, Ashok Ramchandra Kudale and Somnath Velangar, all residents of Rahata taluka in Ahmednagar district were accused by the farmer of threatening him. The deceased left behind two suicide notes, which were found in his pocket.
According to inspector Suresh Warhade, the first note named the money lenders, while the second requested the police to take care of the family. Mr Warhade said Dhanavate has 3 acres of land.
Plea to protect family
“After my death, the police should ensure the safety of my family members and protect them from threats,” the suicide note read. Dhanavate hanged himself from a neem tree near his house. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Mr. Prakash told The Hindu: “I have instructed the Additional SP, Deputy SP and the inspector to conduct a thorough probe. Accordingly the trio were arrested on Monday.”
No record recovered
Even as the suicide note stated that he was harassed because of his inability to repay the loan, the police claimed that no record of debt had been recovered either from the farmer or from the accused.
“So far we have not collected any record which can prove that the farmer had taken loan from the accused. Our investigation is on,” Mr. Warhade said.
All three accused were produced in the local court, which remanded them to five-day police custody.
Even as the police refused to share the details citing that the case was under investigation, the locals said the accused money lenders charge as much as 25% interest from farmers.
Ahmednagar Collector P. Anbalagan could not be reached.
Agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil visited the victim's family and assured an impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, residents of Rampurwadi which has a population of about 2000, called a Gram Sabha on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
“We condemn the injustice meted out to the farmer,” Rampurwadi sarpanch Arvind Yelam told The Hindu .
