Mentally unstable man creates high drama

There was high drama for about two hours in JP Nagar after a mentally deranged man climbed to the terrace of a three-storey building and threatened to jump off it and commit suicide.

When all attempts to pacify him failed, he jumped from the building. However, personnel from the fire force and police saved his life by using a safety net. 

Police said they came to kno of the situation after residents called to inform them that a man had climbed the terrace of the house of V Somashekhar, corporator of Shakhambari Nagar ward.

 Neighbours and members of the family, speaking to police after the incident, said that the man was seen loitering around in the area on Friday evening as well.

“He appeared mentally unstable and deranged,” police said and added that the he made no demands. Instead, when rescue services attempted to talk him down from the terrace, he threatened to end his life. An investigating officer added that the man was armed with a knife and threatened to stab himself or anyone who came near him.  

Another fire official said that they arranged for beds on the ground and also held safety nets. The official added that the man fell into the safety net and sustained minor injuries to his arms and limbs. 

Police immediately shifted him to a nearby private hospital where he was treated and later shifted to Nimhans. According to the official, the man is described as being about 40 years of age. He was unable to even speak properly, he added.

The three-storey building is a duplex. The terrace has no staircase from outside and access can be gained from only within the house. 

Somashekhar said he was at a loss to explain how the man climbed onto the terrace. A senior official suspected that the man might have done so by climbing a coconut tree next to the house or from another three-storey building behind the house.