Bengaluru woman dies by suicide after ‘ex-classmate’ blackmails, harasses her

A 22-year-old woman from Shivamogga district allegedly died by suicide by jumping into Agara Lake in Bengaluru, following alleged harassment and blackmail by a youth, police said on Sunday.

The deceased was a native of Arodi near Belalamakki in Sagar taluk, according to a PTI report.

She was staying at a paying guest accommodation in HSR Layout's Sector-1 and worked in the sales department of a jewellery store in the area, police said.

Also Read | Bengaluru Class 8 student dies by suicide after 'harassment' over homework

Woman was being blackmailed and harassed

According to police, the woman left a note alleging that a person named Abhishek had been blackmailing and harassing her. Her roommate informed her sister about the note on the morning of August 22.

Her sister and the PG owner searched for the deceased before informing the HSR Layout police. Police, along with her family members, searched the area around Agara Lake and later recovered her body from the lake.

Based on her sister's complaint, the HSR Layout police registered a case against Abhishek under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide.

In the complaint, the sister alleged that Abhishek had been harassing the deceased through calls, messages, photographs and videos. Police said the allegations are being investigated.

The deceased and Abhishek knew each other and had studied together during their PUC, according to the complaint. After completing her degree in Sagar, the woman had moved to Bengaluru for employment.

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Bengaluru Class 8 student dies by suicide

In July, a 13-year-old Class 8 student allegedly died by suicide in Bengaluru's Anekal after she was reportedly fined ₹20 for not completing her homework.

Police said the student left behind a purported note detailing the circumstances that she claimed drove her to take the extreme step.

According to police, the student alleged in the note that a teacher punished her for failing to complete her homework and asked her to pay a fine of ₹20. She also claimed that she was threatened with the issuance of a transfer certificate (TC), news agency ANI reported.

The student's family accused members of the school's teaching staff of harassing the child and demanded action against those responsible.

"It seems like the teachers had been torturing her. I don't know their names. She missed school for one day. She didn't tell anyone what she went through at school.

She could have told her sister, but I wasn't aware of it," the girl's mother was quoted as saying by NDTV.

In the purported note, the student said the alleged humiliation and "harassment" had left her emotionally distressed, ultimately pushing her to take the extreme step.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.

Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000; ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290