A woman sanitation worker at Collector's office in Salem died by suicide by jumping in front of a moving bus to get compensation from Tamil Nadu government. The woman hoped that the compensation would help her son and daughter with their education. The woman identified as Paapaathi was reportedly misguided by someone who had told her that accident victims would get compensation from the government.
It was initially suspected that Paapaathi died in an accident. However, the CCTV footage and further investigation by the police revealed that it was suicide and the actual motive behind it.
According to India Today, the woman, Paapaathi (45) fell in front of a bus on June 28. The bus hit her and she died on the spot. She attempted to end her life after a miscreant allegedly told her that the government or the bus company would provide compensation for the accident victims.
On the same day, Paapaathi tried to jump in front of a bus in the morning but she was hit by a two-wheeler. In the impact, she sustained minor injuries.
Later, she tried to cross a road and jumped in front of another bus. This resulted in her death.
The police told NDTV that initially a case of death due to an accident was recorded but it should be altered.
Paapaathi is a single mother and both her son and daughter are in college. Her daughter is currently pursuing her final year of an Electronic Engineering course and the son is pursuing Architecture at a Polytechnic college. She attempted suicide after she was unable to pay fees for the children.
(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)