CHENNAI: Hours after a talk show in which a 60-year-old man confessed to sexually abusing two minor children was aired on a Tamil TV channel, the sexagenarian allegedly committed suicide in his house on Tuesday night.
S Nagappan, a lorry driver, who resided at Perumbakkam, allegedly committed suicide just hours after the second telecast of the episode in which he participated was aired on Tuesday afternoon. Sources said that in the episode he confessed to having sexually abused his sister-in-law’s minor children. The children were 14 years and 10 years old. Police suspect the man’s confession in the talk show could have driven him to take the extreme step.
S Nagammal, mother of Nagappan, had told the police that her daughter-in-law Ambika and her sister Renuka approached organisers of a talk show on a Tamil TV channel to discuss a property issue.
“In this regard, Nagappan was also asked to come to the studio but he had initially refused. Later he agreed to participate in the show,” Nagammal told the police.
After the show was telecast on Monday night and its repeat was telecast on Tuesday afternoon, Nagappan allegedly committed suicide in his house.
Police said that around 8.30 on Tuesday night, neighbours through the window found Nagappan hanging from the ceiling of his house. Immediately, he was rushed to the nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead. Investigations revealed that Nagappan was married to one Ambika and the couple had three children who were married off.
The couple got separated three years ago following a family property dispute. After his wife moved out, Nagappan lived with his sister-in-law and her children.
“Recently, he began sexually abusing the two minor children when they were alone at home. The children reportedly had bite marks over their body and told Renuka about it. Subsequently, the mother and the two girls moved out of the house and Renuka decided to approach the TV channel to seek a solution,” said a police officer. “When they approached the TV channel, Nagappan refused to come, but he was told the discussion was about the property, to which he agreed,” added the officer. However, a case has been registered under section 174 CrPC.