Even as the death of Confident Group chief C.J. Roy in Bengaluru remains fresh in public memory, another heartbreaking incident linked to financial distress has come to light from the Kodagu–Wayanad region, underscoring the severe personal toll of unresolved debt disputes.
A 42-year-old businessman from Kutta village in Ponnampet taluk of Kodagu district died after allegedly attempting suicide along with his family late on Thursday night in Kerala’s Wayanad district. The incident occurred at Erumatheruvu, triggering shock and grief across both Karnataka and Kerala.
The deceased has been identified as M.P. Sajeer, a bakery owner who had been operating his business in Kutta for several years. A native of Malayanteparambath House at Vallithode near Iritty in Kannur district, Sajeer had reportedly been facing prolonged financial difficulties that worsened over time.
According to police, Sajeer had earlier owned the commercial building where his bakery functioned. After struggling to repay loans, he leased out the property and eventually transferred ownership to another individual. Investigators said Sajeer had allegedly lent ₹20 lakh to the current owner of the building, identified as E.C. Bappu, who later moved from Kodagu to Wayanad.
Despite repeated efforts, the money was not repaid, leaving Sajeer under intense financial pressure. On Thursday, he travelled to Wayanad with his wife and children in an attempt to recover the amount. When he did not find the individual at home, Sajeer reportedly parked his car outside the house, poured petrol on the vehicle and its occupants, set it on fire, and drove it into the house.
Local residents who noticed the blaze rushed to the spot and managed to rescue Sajeer’s wife and children from the burning vehicle. However, Sajeer was trapped inside the car and succumbed to severe burn injuries.
His wife, Najmunnisa, aged 37, sustained around 50 percent burn injuries and is undergoing treatment at Mananthavady Government Medical College Hospital. Their two-year-old daughter, Aisha, suffered minor burns, while their sons Nibran, 14, and Nisan, 9, escaped without injuries.
Police officials said Sajeer had released a nearly 10-minute video shortly before the incident. In the footage, he reportedly spoke about his financial struggles and blamed the current owner of the building for pushing him into extreme distress. The video is being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest that petrol was poured on the occupants before the vehicle was set ablaze. Police recovered remnants of plastic containers suspected to have been used to transport fuel from the scene. The house that the burning car crashed into reportedly belongs to the same individual involved in the financial dispute.
The Mananthavady Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the sequence of events, financial transactions, and circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Officials said all aspects, including property transfer records and loan-related documents, are being verified.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing financial stress faced by small business owners and entrepreneurs, highlighting the urgent need for timely intervention, financial mediation, and mental health support to prevent such irreversible tragedies.