Upset with the harassment meted out by the CPI(M)-led Municipal Corporation, a foreign-returned realtor committed suicide after he was denied ownership certificate for an auditorium he had built at Nelliyottu near Kuttikkol.
Meanwhile, the suicide has triggered huge controversy and the Congress-led Opposition raised the issue in the Assembly. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said this is the second time that a NRI was driven to suicide due to harassment of LDF workers.
According to the police, Parayil Sajan, 49, MD of Partha Builders, hanged himself at his house in Kottali near here around 6 am on Tuesday. His relatives said the realtor had spent all his money in the business but the corrupt Municipal administration refused to give ownership certificate to the realtor.
Despite repeated requests and promise of bribe, Sajan’s relatives said, Municipal chairperson P K Shyamala, wife of CPM central committee member M V Govindan, secretary and engineer refused to issue the certificate. They were demanding huge amount as bribe which Sajan was not in a position to give. Sajan’s suicide note blamed the trio for his death. They are also planning to put up a siege in front of the municipal office with Sajan’s mortal remains.
Locals said the corrupt LDF members used to take often money from the victim. Sajan had spent Rs 15 crore for building the auditorium, but municipality issued a notice to him saying its construction was not foolproof. He approached the CPI(M) district committee, which advised the municipality to conduct an inspection by experts before taking a final decision.
An inspection was conducted by the town planning officer and work was allowed to continue. Sajan completed it and approached the municipality for the certificate, but officers delayed the process.
According to Sajan friends, he was thoroughly disappointed with the attitude of the municipal officers. He told them there was no option for him but to commit suicide if he was not able to open the auditorium.
Municipal chairperson PK Shyamala denied the allegations.
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