Kanyakumari: In a heart-wrenching incident that underscores the fatal consequences of a moment’s misjudgment, a 23-year-old graduate accidentally died while attempting a reckless prank to frighten his girlfriend during a video call. The victim, J. Jayasankaran, hails from the Iraviputthanthurai area.
Jayasankaran, the son of a school cleaner named Jayakumar, was a graduate awaiting to pursue higher studies. He was in a relationship with a young woman from the Kollangode area, a union that had reportedly received consent from both their families. Despite this, the couple was known to have frequent arguments.
A Fateful Video Call Turns Deadly
The tragedy unfolded yesterday afternoon during a WhatsApp video call between Jayasankaran and his girlfriend. Sources indicate that an argument broke out between the two during the conversation. In a drastic attempt to intimidate her, Jayasankaran proceeded to stage a mock hanging using a blanket in his room on the top floor of his house.
The prank took a catastrophic turn when the blanket suddenly tightened around his neck. The young man began to struggle for his life, his screams alerting his mother. She rushed to the room but found the door locked and was unable to open it, leading her to scream for help. Neighbours, alerted by the commotion, quickly arrived on the scene. They forced the door open, but their efforts were in vain. They discovered that Jayasankaran had already succumbed, leaving the family and community in a state of profound grief and shock.
A Sobering Reminder Against Dangerous acts
This devastating incident serves as a grim reminder that dangerous acts, even those intended in jest, can have irreversible and tragic outcomes. Suicide is never a solution, and individuals experiencing distress or negative thoughts are urged to seek help immediately through professional channels.
For those in need of support, the Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline is available 24 hours a day at 044 2464 0050. Additionally, the State Suicide Prevention Helpline can be reached 24/7 by dialling 104.