A 50-year-old differently-abled man who attempted to kill himself at the Krishnagiri Collectorate on May 18 over a land dispute died at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem on Wednesday night (May 20, 2026).

The deceased was identified as Venkatesh of Shoolagiri. He had allegedly set himself ablaze on the Collectorate premises and was initially admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Krishnagiri before being shifted to Salem for further treatment.

On Thursday (May 21, 2026), his daughter, V. Sharmila, submitted a petition to the Salem district administration seeking action against Revenue Department officials, alleging negligence in resolving the land dispute, fabrication of documents and their role in her father’s death.

In the petition, she said her father had repeatedly approached officials seeking a proper survey of his land following a long-pending boundary dispute. Though petitions were submitted several times, no concrete action was taken. Officials had once visited the site claiming to conduct a survey, but allegedly left without completing the exercise, assuring him that it would be done later.

She further stated that her father later met the officials again regarding the issue and subsequently suffered severe mental distress, following which he attempted self-immolation. Ms. Sharmila also alleged that officials were now claiming that the land survey had been completed and were attempting to close the case using documents purportedly containing her father’s signature. She claimed that her father was illiterate and used only thumb impressions, raising doubts over the authenticity of the documents.

Seeking a thorough inquiry, she urged the district administration to take strict action against the officials concerned and provide justice to the family. The family refused to receive the body and staged a sit-in-protest outside the Collectorate premises. Later, police personnel pacified them.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline (104) and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline (044-2464 0050).