Ration shop worker suspended for swindling money
Elangovan's relatives and ration shop employees union claim that he took the extreme step due to ‘alleged' pressure from senior officials
Chennai: Mystery shrouds the suicide of a 50-year-old employee of the government run co-operative stores at his residence on Mint Street in Washermanpet on Thursday evening. V. Elangovan who worked as a packer at a ration shop in J.J.Nagar was suspended from work two days ago after a surprise raid by his senior officials. “There was some mismanagement of funds to the tune of Rs15,000 after which he was suspended,” an investigating officer said.
While cops believe that is an open and shut case, the man’s relatives and ration shop employees union claim that he took the extreme step due to ‘alleged’ pressure from senior officials. Elangovan was living at his parents’ house in Washermanpet along with his brothers for the last three years after being separated from his wife. He was earlier residing at Athipetu near Ennore, police said.
His family members last saw him at around noon for lunch on Thursday after which he retired to his room to sleep. “At around 5.30 pm, his brother found him hanging from the ceiling after which they moved him to a private hospital nearby, where he was declared brought dead,” the officer added. Washermanpet police later moved his body to Government Stanley Hospital for post mortem.
On Friday, Elangovan’s relatives alleged that he had committed suicide due to pressure from senior officers. A suicide note purportedly written by him was also handed over to the cops by the Tamil Nadu ration employees union. According to the suicide note dated April 22, 2015, “On April 20, the Joint Registrar and Deputy Registrar who visited my store in J.J.Nagar put me through a tough time. I was depressed by their act and have never faced such humiliation in my 32 year service.”
G.Rajendran (61), president of the TN ration employees union, claimed that staff were put through tough times by senior officials throughout the state. The group staged a sit-in for a few minutes on Friday evening in Washermanpet, demanding justice. However, the veracity of the suicide note remains to be checked, police said.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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