Probe into alleged suicide of former bank official

The Thiruvananthapuram Rural Police have instituted a probe into the alleged suicide of a former secretary of a Congress-led cooperative bank in Vellanad.

The deceased, Anil Kumar, had been under suspension for nearly a year-and-a-half over allegations of misappropriating bank funds at the Vellanad Service Cooperative Bank. He was found hanging from a tree near his house in Velloopara on Sunday.

According to the Aryanad police, preliminary probe indicated the possibility of suicide. He has been facing an investigation for irregularities to the tune of ₹1.5 crore.

Anil’s family members alleged that he had been under severe mental stress due to political interference that resulted in the sanctioning of several loans to people who later failed to repay them, leading to a major financial crisis. The bank is presently under administrative control.

(Suicide prevention helpline: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056)