Man jumps off terrace to commit suicide, instead kills woman sleeping on ground

In a bid to kill himself, a 37-year-old Selvamurugan from Chennai jumped off the terrace of a three-storey building on Sunday and landed on a 75-year old woman, killing her instantly.

Chennai, Aug 30: In a bid to kill himself, a 37-year-old Selvamurugan from Chennai jumped off the terrace of a three-storey building on Sunday, but there was a twist in the fall. Police reported that Selvamurugan had a fight with his wife and often told his wife that he would kill himself. His wife however, paid no heed to his threatening talks. As he took the leap of death from above a three-storey building, he landed on a 75-year-old woman sleeping on the ground, killing her almost instantly.

The 75-year-old was Saradha, who had pulled her bed outside the house for some breeze. It was reported by TOI at death was nearing her. Selvamurugan, an autorickshaw driver survived, but the woman was killed. Hearing the woman’s cries, people gathered in large numbers and rushed both Selvamurugan and Saradha to a nearby private hospital. Later, the doctors sent them to Government Royapettah Hospital where Saradha died. However, Selvam suffered injuries of the skull and legs. It was reported that he was later shifted to the Rajiv Government General Hospital, where his situation is reported to be really critical. (ALSO READ: Rajasthan: Ailing woman dies waiting for ambulance to arrive)

A case has been registered against Selvamurugan. When police reached the spot,  neighbours were reported informing that Saradha was living with her husband Mari and her son Rajendran. Also, when neighbours were asked for details following the incident, they informed the police that Saradha usually slept in the open.

An investigating officer said that Selvamurugan is in a hospital, with head injuries. According to the police, Selvamurugan was drunk and quarrelled with his brother and 32-year old wife, Dhanalakshmi. “He went to the terrace of the building and threatened to jump.”His wife ignored his threat as he used to do this repeatedly,” the officer said.”He jumped from about 30ft. There were quite a few people sleeping on the ground”, TOI quoted the police.