Anand Pujar, 30, committed suicide by jumping off the fourth floor of a building in BTM Layout on July 9. A couple of days later, Sweta, a 15-year-old domestic maid jumped off a building in Kumara Park near Seshadripuram. She died after battling for life at a private hospital.
The two incidents add to 2012’s tally of the country’s suicide capital. But statistics for 2011 reveal that jumping off buildings is a preferred choice for those attempting suicide in Bangalore.
Of the 1,717 suicides reported in Bangalore in 2011, 9.9 per cent were by jumping from buildings.
Eighty nine men and 81 women lost their lives this way. Also, another 11 persons, including four women died after they jumped off other sites (hills et al).
Experts point out that there will always be a number of attempted suicides that have gone unreported in the City, just like in other parts of the country.
Bangalore has recorded the highest number of jumps off buildings in the country among 88 major cities from where statistics were compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau. And the next closest figure stands at 32, reported in Mumbai. The country’s financial capital saw 12 more persons jump off other sites in the same year.
Delhi stands third with 28 persons jumping off buildings and another two jumping off from other sites. Ahmedabad has recorded a total of 20 persons who have lost their lives by jumping off buildings.
Going by the statistics of the various states and union territories, Bangalore’s contribution has put Karnataka at the number one position with the total number of suicides committed by jumping off buildings at 178, including the 170 reported from its capital.
Another 29 of them, including 11 from Bangalore have died after jumping off from other sites.
In West Bengal, a record number of 120 persons lost their lives after jumping from sites other than buildings and another 68 of them jumped off buildings, during 2011.
Maharashtra saw as many as 72 persons jump off buildings another 23 jump to death from other sites.
Gujarat saw 60 and 94 persons jump to death from buildings and other sites, respectively, while Andhra Pradesh’s figures stood at 59 and 36. Kerala and Tamil Nadu saw 26 and 54, respectively, die by jumping off buildings and other sites.