Haveri farmer Dies After Consuming Poison As Crop Fails, Debts Mount
The deceased was identified as Nagaraj, who owned about 3 acres and 13 guntas of agricultural land.
Haveri: A 44-year-old farmer from Chikkalingadahalli village in Haveri taluk, who was allegedly under severe financial stress following crop failure, died while undergoing treatment after consuming poison, police said.
The deceased was identified as Nagaraj, who owned about 3 acres and 13 guntas of agricultural land.
According to the complaint, Nagaraj had borrowed Rs 2.5 lakh from a Bank. He had also availed loans by pledging gold ornaments at two banks, besides taking a loan from a finance. The family had also borrowed money through a micro finance, taking his total liabilities to over Rs 5 lakh.
Police said Nagaraj had sown fodder maize on his land during the current season. However, scanty rainfall affected the crop, which failed to establish properly. The poor crop reportedly left him worried about repaying the loans he had taken from banks and financial institutions.
Family members told police that he had been expressing anxiety over the mounting debt and the uncertainty of the harvest. They said he feared he would be unable to clear the loans if the rains continued to remain deficient.
Nagaraj allegedly consumed poison in his field sometime between 10 pm and 11.30 pm on July 3. He was rushed to the Haveri District Hospital and later shifted to KMC-RI, Hubballi, for specialised treatment.
Despite efforts by doctors, Nagaraj succumbed to his condition at around 7.30 pm on July 7.
A case of unnatural death has been registered.