Copyright newskarnataka
MANGALURU: A dramatic rescue unfolded in Kavoor, Mangaluru, on Monday evening when police officers saved a man and his young daughter from an alleged suicide attempt. The timely intervention came after the man circulated a video message indicating his intent to end their lives by jumping into the sea. The individual, identified as Rajesh alias Santu (35), a resident of Shantinagar, Kavoor, had reportedly taken his four-year-old daughter to Thannirbavi Beach following a heated argument with his wife. According to the police, Rajesh recorded a video saying, “Let’s die, no one needs us; your mother isn’t right,” before sending it to his sister and relatives via WhatsApp. The message, which quickly reached Panambur Police, triggered an urgent response that ultimately saved both lives. Suspicion and domestic conflict led to crisis Police sources revealed that Rajesh had been married to a woman from Bajpe for seven years. However, over the past few months, he had become suspicious of his wife’s fidelity, leading to frequent quarrels and allegations of physical abuse. Following another dispute on Monday, he allegedly decided to take the extreme step. The video he shared only showed the silhouettes of a man and a child walking toward the sea, accompanied by the child’s faint voice pleading, “Don’t die, Papa.” Inspector Mohammed Saleem, who led the rescue, said the video’s emotional content and urgency compelled the team to act immediately. Swift police action saves lives After receiving the alert around 7 p.m., Inspector Saleem and his team analysed the video for location clues. Based on the background visuals, they suspected the scene was at Thannirbavi Beach. Working in coordination with Cyber Police, they traced Rajesh’s mobile phone to his residence in Shantinagar. A police team led by officers Fakirappa Sharanappa and Rakesh was dispatched to the location. On reaching, they found the house locked from inside. When repeated knocks went unanswered, the team forced open the door — discovering Rajesh attempting to hang himself, with his daughter beside him. The officers rushed in and pulled both to safety in a matter of seconds. “If we had been two minutes late, both would have died,” Inspector Saleem later said, commending the team’s swift action. Counseling and legal aspects Following the incident, both Rajesh and his wife were called to the Kavoor Police Station for counselling. However, the wife refused reconciliation, stating that she wanted a divorce and would raise the child on her own. Under the previous Indian Penal Code, Rajesh’s act could have resulted in charges under Section 309 (attempted suicide). However, as this provision has been removed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police opted for counselling and decided not to pursue criminal action. Police lauded for timely intervention The Mangaluru City Police Commissioner, Sudheer Kumar Reddy, praised the Panambur Police team for their quick and effective response, calling their actions “a shining example of duty and humanity.” Local residents and social workers also appreciated the officers for their compassion and determination, which prevented a family tragedy. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the growing mental health challenges within families and the critical role of timely intervention and community awareness in preventing loss of life.
