JOIN US Vijaykumar, 37, a resident of Mathikere, took the plunge off the notorious suicide spot — Shantala Drop atop Shivaganga Hill near Dobbespet — in the belief that would be the death of him.
For, according to him, Lord Shiva and Parvathi had comandeered him in his dream to do so, if he were to turn rich overnight. Destiny, however willed otherwise. His suicidal fall arrested by a tree branch 80 feet down left him clinging on to dear life and wailing for help. Vijaykumar had to wait in anguish, pain and prayers on his lips, for nearly 20 hours before he was hoisted back to safety by the rescue police after a marathon operation.
Married to Ambika with two children, Vijaykumar, a security guard at an ATM counter, according to his elder brother Umesh, had been noticed jumping off the Shantala Drop by a temple priest and perilously hanging onto a tree branch. The priest was informed that a person was crying out for help from below the hill.
Herculean rescue effort
Summoned by the people, a team of Dobbespet Police led by sub-inspector Ravi and rescue teams from fire and emergency services from Peenya and Tumkur, began what turned out to be a Herculean rescue effort, which was hindered by heavy rain and the darkness of night.
According to District Deputy Superintendent of Police Mallesh, besides minor head injuries, Vijayakumar had also fractured his back following his fall.
He was admitted to M S Ramaiah Hospital in the City and is said to be recovering, following a series of surgeries.
Mallesh said since Vijayakumar was still in a state of shock, they were yet to take a formal statement on what motivated him to take the extreme step since he was giving contradictory statements. Following his rescue, Vijaykumar, however, contradicted himself, stating that he had climbed up the hill and while standing at the cliff edge, he slipped and fell.