61-Year-Old Auto Driver Dies by Suicide in Vyasarpadi After Recording Video on Debt

A 61-year-old autorickshaw driver died by suicide on Saturday night at his residence in SA Colony, Sharma Nagar in Vyasarpadi, after recording a video detailing his debts and financial distress.

Police identified the deceased man as Mohammed Ibrahim. He had been living alone in his house following the death of his wife nine years ago. Both of his sons are married and reside separately.

The incident came to light on Sunday morning when one of Ibrahim's sons arrived at the Sharma Nagar house to deliver food to him. Upon reaching the residence, the son knocked repeatedly on the door. When his knocks went unanswered, he forced the door open and discovered his father dead inside.

Investigators later found a video on Ibrahim's phone that he had recorded prior to his death. In the recording, Ibrahim spoke about his personal debts and highlighted the severe financial distress faced by auto drivers. He also made an appeal to the government to revise autorickshaw meter fares.

The video clip has since been widely circulated among members of the auto driver community. Personnel from the Kodungaiyur police station recovered Ibrahim's body from the house and sent it to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital for a postmortem examination.