Couple commits suicide unable to meet medical expenses

A 57-year old man and his wife allegedly committed suicide here today unable to meet the expenses for a surgery required for him.

Unwilling to cast any burden on his two sons, who were not economically well off, G Murugesan, a local beverage unit owner, and his wife Jothilakshmi (54) took the extreme step by consuming poison in their house, police said.

The man had even bought and kept in the house all materials required for their funeral, police said.

Murugesan, already physically handicapped, had suffered a fracture six months ago in a road accident and the doctors had advised him surgery that would cost around Rs.three lakh.

But he could not afford the treatment as he had fixed his second daughter's marriage for last week. After the wedding, Murugesan had told his wife that his duty as a family head was over and he did not want to live.

His wife persuaded him not to get despondent saying they would get help. Though Murugesan's cousin turned up this morning to take him to hospital, he found him dead and his wife lying unconscious.

Police said the woman, rushed to a hospital, died without responding to treatment.