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In a suspected case of self-inflicted deaths, three persons — including a couple and their friend — were found dead in a private hotel in Velankanni on Saturday. The deceased were identified as K. Kaliyaperumal, 49, his wife K. Vijayakumari, 44, and their friend K. Loganathan, 46, all residents of Viruppachipuram village in Valangaiman. According to police sources, the three had checked into the hotel on the morning of October 30. When the room remained locked till 3 p.m. on Satuday, hotel staff alerted the police. Officers who entered the room found all three had ended their lives. A letter, reportedly signed by all three, was recovered from the room. It mentioned harassment by fellow villagers and debts to several microfinance firms as causes of distress. Investigations revealed that Kaliyaperumal had lodged a complaint with the Valangaiman Police last month stating that his wife was missing. She later returned home, and the police had then suspected that Loganathan was involved in a relationship with her. While initial findings point to a pact among the three to end their lives, investigators have not ruled out foul play, given the differing circumstances of the deaths. The Velankanni Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and have taken up further investigation. (Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).
