In a heartbreaking turn of events, a young woman named Ranjitha was found dead by suicide at her home in Chitradurga, Karnataka, on March 18. The incident came to light after her husband, Darshan Babu, revealed that he had lost a staggering ₹1 crore in betting on Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, plunging the family into financial turmoil.
Darshan, employed as an assistant engineer in the Minor Irrigation Department at Hosadurga, had been deeply involved in IPL betting since 2021, often resorting to borrowing money to sustain his habit. His wife, Ranjitha, aged 23, tragically took her own life due to the incessant harassment from creditors as a result of Darshan’s debts.
According to reports, Darshan’s betting spree led to a debt exceeding ₹1.5 crore, with substantial losses incurred between 2021 and 2023. Despite managing to repay ₹1 crore, he still owed ₹84 lakh to lenders. The couple’s financial distress escalated, leading to Ranjitha’s extreme distress and eventual suicide.
Ranjitha’s father, Venkatesh, revealed that his daughter discovered Darshan’s betting activities in 2021, which caused significant turmoil in their marital life. In his complaint, Venkatesh cited the constant harassment by moneylenders as the primary reason for Ranjitha’s decision to end her life. He also named 13 individuals who had allegedly lent money to Darshan for betting purposes.
Venkatesh further explained that Darshan was initially hesitant to engage in betting but was coerced by others who promised quick wealth through the practice. These individuals allegedly provided financial support for Darshan’s bets against blank cheques as collateral.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a suicide note left by Ranjitha, detailing the financial and emotional struggles the couple faced due to Darshan’s betting addiction. The tragic incident has left behind a two-year-old son, adding to the devastating impact on the family.
Sources By Agencies
