Distraught over friend's suicide, constable ends his life at same spot

A constable was so distraught over his close friend’s suicide that he too ended his life in a similar manner at the same spot hours later.

Ramanji, 28, jumped before a running train at Siddenayakanahalli in Ramanagar district on Sunday night just three hours after his close friend, Gurunath, 28, a music teacher, committed suicide in a similar manner at the very spot, reportedly over marital discord.

Ramanji, a resident of Melinanayakarandahalli village, was attached to the Kumbalgodu police station. In a suicide letter, he is said to have stated that he decided to kill himself as he could no more bear the loss of his friend. “We wanted to live and die together.

Gurunath’s death has created a vacuum in my life, so I have decided to join him in death,” the note read.

The constable, who was married for just four months, apologised to his wife for taking this extreme step. “I could not stay with you for long. But I will marry you in the next life and lead a meaningful life with you,” the note added.

Gurunath, who had married six months ago, had problems in his domestic life. He reportedly committed suicide by jumping before a running train at Siddenayakanahalli around 7 pm. Ramanji was one of the first persons to reach the spot. He took his friend’s body to hospital, completed legal formalities and stayed with his family till the cremation got over.

The constable then left, telling his family he had some work to attend to. But he didn’t return. Some local residents saw his body lying near the railway track and called the police.

Ramanji had joined the police force in 2008. He has a younger brother and his parents work as agricultural labourers.