Youth tricked by fake job offer in Russia dies of ‘stress’

Pudukottai: A 24-year-old youth from Pudukottai, who was allegedly duped by a Tirunelveli-based agent with the promise of a job in Russia, died at a lodge in Delhi on Aug 13. The family owed his death to the severe mental distress he was in after waiting in vain for three months to fly abroad.The victim, G Rajapandi of Andavarayapuram in Alangudi taluk, had approached job consultant Vadivel Pillai in Tirunelveli hoping to secure employment in Russia. His father, a fisherman, said that the agent collected ₹2.03 lakh from them in instalments since Oct 2024. "The agent assured that Rajapandi would be sent abroad within three months," Rajapandi's brother Ravi Varman said.A petition submitted by the family to the district collector said Rajapandi was first taken to Chennai and then to Delhi in May and made to stay in a private lodge in Vasant Kunj after repeated cancellation of his flight tickets, citing visa issues. The family said he spent over ₹60,000 on accommodation until Aug, while the agent kept delaying his travel. When Rajapandi pressed for a refund, the agent allegedly returned only ₹18,000 in small amounts through online transfers.Struggling under debt after pawning his mother's jewellery and borrowing from neighbours, the youth was under immense mental pressure, Ravi said. On Aug 13, Rajapandi was found dead at his lodge in Delhi. CCTV footage shows him suddenly collapsing while trying to open the door. His body was brought to Chennai after post-mortem. While doctors in Delhi have indicated a possible cardiac arrest, the family does not accept it, and are awaiting the final post-mortem report for clarity. Along with their petition, the family also submitted WhatsApp voice messages in which Rajapandi is heard lamenting to his friends that Vadivel Pillai had cheated him. The family has urged the authorities to initiate action against the agent on charges of cheating and abetment of suicide.