Chennai: A 31-year-old lawyer from Thiruverkadu, who was an accused-turned-witness in the two leaves symbol bribery case, died by suicide on Wednesday. The lawyer, Gopinath, took the extreme step hours after the Enforcement Directorate summoned AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran and two others on Friday.
The two leaves symbol bribery case pertains to the alleged bribe given to Election Commission officials for allotting the 'two leaves' symbol to Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), a political outfit started by Dhinakaran.
On Wednesday, lawyer Gopinath's sister found him dead in a room opposite his house. After the ED issued summons in Delhi, the lawyer reportedly told his family that he had work and locked himself in the room before taking the extreme step, according to a report on The New Indian Express.
Based on the information, the Thiruverkadu police registered a case of unnatural death and sent the body for post-mortem.
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In 2017, Suresh Chandrasekhar, a conman, became Dhinakaran's "agent" to allegedly bribe Election Commission officials in Delhi.
Mohanraj, Dhinakaran's legal counsel, and his junior Gopinath then allegedly transferred a sum on behalf of the leader to complete the process.
After the incident came to light, Chandrasekhar was remanded in custody with TTV Dhinakaran, Gopinath and Mohanraj in 2017. They all got bail later.
However, ED arrested Chandrasekhar again on Monday.
The summons issued for Friday would have been Gopinath's first appearance in the case.
(If anyone faces mental health issues or knows anyone having suicidal feelings, they can seek emotional support with helpline numbers from suicide prevention organizations in the state.
Tamil Nadu: The State Health Department's Suicide Helpline is 104.
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre: 044 24640050)