Depressed money lender commits suicide in South Delhi

New Delhi: A 25-year-old man on Thursday allegedly committed suicide in South Delhi’s Neb Sarai area after he was claimed to have failed to get Rs 12 lakh in demonetised currency notes exchanged.

Virender Basoya’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan with a dupatta around noon by his wife who informed the police and neighbours, said a senior police officer.

People close to the deceased claimed that he was in depression after he failed to exchange his demonetised currency notes worth Rs 12 lakh, despite several attempts.

They also claimed that Basoya used to work as a money-lender and his dues were repaid in demonetised currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

His neighbours said he had tried to exchange the money at banks and even with agents, but had not succeeded.

However, according to the police, preliminary investigations did not confirm that Basoya was depressed over demonetisation.

“He was going through financial problems for the last few months which could have led to depression,” said a senior police officer, adding that no suicide note was found from the house.

Meanwhile, while reviewing the arrangements to ensure smooth transaction of business in the wake of demonetisation, lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung has directed the Delhi police to ensure adequate deployment of staff at banks and ATMs. He also instructed that the deployed police must assist the elderly, women, sick, and other vulnerable people standing in queues.

He appealed to Delhiites to not panic as there is sufficient reserve cash in banks. Long queues are being witnessed outside banks and ATMs since the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“There is sufficient cash reserve available in banks, therefore they (people) must be patient and not lose their composure while transacting business at banks. The issues are getting resolved and the police have been asked to provide all assistance to people queuing outside banks and ATMs,” Mr Jung said in a statement.

The Delhi police has deployed 12,000 of its personnel outside ATMs and banks to manage the huge crowd gathering there to withdraw money.