Four of family commit suicide

Bangalore, July 23 (UNI) Unable to repay mounting debts, four members of a family committed suicide by consuming pesticide at Jagalur in Davangere district of Karnataka today.

Police Inspector H K Revanna said P C Chandanagowda (50), a civil contractor, had borrowed money to take up civil construction works of Jagalur Taluk Panchayat. But the Panchayat had not paid him the money, amounting to several lakh, citing non-arrival of funds from the government.

Mounting pressure from money lenders to repay their debt drove Chandanagowda, his wife Jyotsamma (44), son Siddesh (25) and daughter Renuka (19) to take the extreme step, he added.

''The incident came to light when neighbours on suspicion broke open the door to find the family members dead,'' he added.

Police found a suicide note in which Chandragowda had stated that they had no other option left but to commit suicide as they were unable to repay the debts due to the delay caused by the Panchayat officials in paying the amount.

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