Ex-DMK man dies by suicide in city

Coimbatore: Former DMK district secretary R Krishnan, 65, popularly known as Payya Gounder, died by suicide at his farmhouse on Kalapatti-Kurumbapalayam Road, here in the early hours of Thursday. Farmhouse staff found Krishnan hanging from the ceiling and rushed him to a private hospital. However, doctors declared him dead, and his body was sent to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for a postmortem. Preliminary investigation revealed that his family members had sidelined him completely over a dispute, and he was under severe depression, which could have led to him taking the extreme step. Meanwhile, DMK president and chief minister MK Stalin expressed his condolence over Krishanan’s demise. Krishnan who was engaged in agricultural and real estate business, had earlier served as DMK Coimbatore urban district (West) in charge and president of Kalapatti town panchayat. DMK had fielded Krishnan in the last two assembly elections in 2016 and 202, but he failed to win. He was removed from the post of district (west) secretary following the 2021 assembly election. He then distanced himself from politics and did not involve in any political activity for the last two years.His body was handed over to his family in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Kovilpalayam police have registered a case under section 174 CrPC and further investigation is on.