Debt-ridden coconut merchant commits suicide

A debt-ridden coconut merchant today allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his house in Pollachi town of this district.

The merchant, Duraisamy had taken a loan of Rs four lakh from a money lender and had paid the entire capital and interest. However, the money lender, as part of usury, was allegedly demanding more money and torturing him, police said.

Unable to pay the amount, Duraisamy allegedly committed suicide by hanging in his room, police said.

The relatives refused to accept his body from the hospital after postmortem and held a protest outside the office of Dy SP, seeking detailed inquiry, they said.