The Kerala High Court on Wednesday registered a suo moto case in connection with the suicide of a differently-abled man, who has taken the extreme step over disability pension pending for five months.
The chief justice’s permission was sought for further proceedings in the case. The Central government, Social Justice Department, Kozhikode District Collector, and Chakkittapara Panchayat Secretary have been made contending parties in the case.
Joseph (V Pappachan), 77, of Chakkittapara in Kerala’s Kozhikode district, killed himself on Tuesday afternoon following financial crisis due to the government’s delay in releasing his and his bedridden daughter’s pensions. He was found hanging from the ceiling at his home by neighbours. His family said Joseph was upset over not getting the pension amount for several months despite filing several complaints.
The deceased had written to ministers, district collector, and panchayat authorities for the prompt release of the pension. A week ago, he wrote to the Chakkittapara panchayat secretary threatening to commit suicide at the local body’s office if the official did not take necessary action within 15 days.
“Joseph has three daughters, two of whom are married while the eldest is bedridden. He was himself grappling with health issues after suffering from a stroke several years ago,” said one of his neighbours.
Meanwhile, Congress workers on Wednesday laid siege to the Kozhikode Collectorate in protest against official negligence in the case. They laid Joseph’s dead body near the police barricade and a wreath on the barricade with a placard reading: ‘condolences to the deceased government’.