TN: Iruttu Kadai halwa shop owner kills self after testing positive for COVID-19

Tirunelveli (TN), Jun 25: The owner of the famous century-old 'Iruttu kadai halwa' store here, a well-known name in Tamil Nadu among sweet lovers, was found hanging at a hospital where he had been admitted recently following illeness and tested positive for COVID-19, police said.

Hari Singh (80) was found hanging at the ward of the private hospital where he had been admitted recently, a senior police official said. The family members of the deceased, a native of Rajasthan who had migrated to this town in southern Tamil Nadu, have also been since quarantined.

Located near the famous Nellaippar temple in this town, the century-old 'Iruttu kadai' derived its name from the fact that the shop sold its unique, lip-smacking freshly made halwa only from the evening till night daily, drawing huge crowds of sweet lovers.

The shop only used a zero watt bulb during business hours. The unique halwa was relished by those with a sweet tooth across different age groups. The delicacy is popular among Tamils living in other countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia.