Man jumps off cliff as friends look on

Munnar: A 25-year-old man from Chennai died by suicide after jumping off a cliff at Kolukkumala near Munnar, as his friends watched in shock. The deceased has been identified as N Dravinesh, a native of Abhiramapuram, Chennai.

The incident occurred around 7am on Monday. Dravinesh was part of a 15-member group that had travelled to Munnar from Chennai. While the group was watching the sunrise at Simhapara in Kolukkumala, he suddenly ran toward the edge of the cliff and jumped into the gorge below.

Local residents alerted the police and fire force. A search operation was launched by the Shanthampra Police and Munnar fire and rescue services. After a two-hour search, aided by drones and other equipment, Dravinesh’s body was located on the Tamil Nadu side of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, within the jurisdiction of the Korangani police station.

Police suspect the death was linked to emotional distress over a romantic relationship. According to his friends, Dravinesh had been experiencing severe mental distress for several days prior to the trip. They had brought him to Munnar hoping the change would help him heal.

Following inquest, the body will be transferred to a hospital for postmortem examination before being handed over to the family.