NAGERCOIL
After attacking a widow with acid, a labourer allegedly committed suicide as she refused to remarry him.
Police said tailor M. Girija, 36, of Thiruvattar, was living with her two daughters after her husband Manikandan expired nine years ago. As John Rose, 29, of the same area compelled her to remarry him, she refused citing the welfare of her daughters.
When his repeated attempts failed to convince Girija, John Rose assaulted her in April last and the widow, unable to bear with the harassment, filed a complaint with Thiruvattar police. A case was also subsequently registered against John Rose.
Against this backdrop, John Rose intercepted the woman to press for his demand even as she was going home on Thursday evening. As Girija refused to accept his proposal again, John Rose allegedly threw acid on her face in which the widow suffered serious injuries.
With the badly injured eyes, the woman is undergoing treatment in Government Medical College Hospital at Aasaripallam.
Meanwhile, John Rose went underground as the police started searching for him. As the search intensified, he allegedly consumed poison and lying on the roadside at Thiruvattar. After being admitted to a private hospital, he died on Friday last.
Thiruvattar police have registered a case.
Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.
