Surathkal: Woman attempts suicide following threats, obscene messages from youth; Rescued

Team Udayavani, Oct 26, 2024, 9:14 AM IST

Surathkal: A young woman attempted suicide on Friday morning at 3:30 AM, reportedly due to constant threats and obscene messages sent by a local youth named Sharik through Facebook Messenger.

The woman’s family, who had lodged a police complaint earlier, alleged that Sharik continued sending threats even after being questioned by the police.

The woman’s family found a letter near her sleeping area, suspecting something amiss. Upon checking, they found her semi-conscious and rushed her to the hospital with the help of local social workers. Timely medical intervention saved her life.

Complaint Filed

The woman’s family had filed a harassment complaint with Surathkal Police on October 23, naming Sharik and his mother as the accused. Police detained them for questioning but released them with a warning due to a lack of concrete evidence.

However, on October 25, the woman allegedly received another message from Sharik on Messenger, warning her of harm even if he were to go to jail. Overcome by fear, the woman reportedly ingested sleeping pills.

The woman’s family, residing in Idya, Surathkal, mentioned that she recently opened a shop. A group of youths on bikes reportedly made obscene gestures and harassed her near her shop. This harassment was also mentioned in her letter. Investigations into these incidents are underway.

Anonymous Messages Under Scrutiny

Messages from an anonymous number continue to be a part of this ongoing harassment, and police are working with forensic experts to retrieve and trace the messages sent through Sharik’s device.

Following the allegations of sending obscene and threatening messages via Facebook Messenger, Sharik was detained on Saturday for further interrogation.

MLA’s Appeal to Law Enforcement

MLA Dr. Bharat Shetty urged police not to overlook threats received on platforms like Messenger. He pointed out that initial negligence by authorities has worsened the situation, urging the department to handle such cases with increased seriousness to prevent future incidents.

Suicide is preventable. If you get any such thoughts, consult or seek expert help.

Karnataka Arogya Sahayavani – 104
Susheg Charitable Trust – 7338201234