News Brief
'Harassment' By Chinese Money Lending App Claims Another Indian Life As Bengaluru Student Dies By Suicide
Representative Image. (Picture via Outlook)
A 22-year-old engineering student in Bengaluru died by suicide on Tuesday, allegedly due to harassment from executives representing a Chinese mobile loan application.
Tejas, who was studying engineering at Nitte Meenakshi College, hanged himself at his residence in Bengaluru's Jalahalli.
The agents from the loan application allegedly resorted to blackmail, threatening to expose intimate photographs stored on Tejas's mobile phone if he failed to repay the loan.
This harassment reportedly pushed him to take such a drastic step, a report in the India Today has said.
According to the police complaint filed by Tejas's family, he had borrowed money in the form of a loan from a Chinese lending app.
Unfortunately, he was unable to repay the borrowed amount, leading to mounting pressure and distress.
Gopinath, the student's father, was informed about the incident and agreed to repay the amount in installments on behalf of his son, according to the complaint.
It was claimed that individuals representing the mobile application went to Tejas's house, used intimidating tactics, and made threatening phone calls.
Gopinath had requested more time to settle the outstanding debt three days before Tejas's death, but the lenders refused to accommodate his request.
On Tuesday evening, the app agents allegedly made multiple calls to Tejas, which reportedly pushed him to take drastic measures.
In a heartfelt note, he expressed his deep regret to his parents: "Sorry mom and dad for whatever I did. I have no other choice other than this. I am unable to pay other loans that is there in my name and this is my final decision... Goodbye."
This tragic incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and accountability in the digital lending industry.
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