BENGALURU: A 27-year-old gym trainer allegedly killed himself at his house in Nelamangala in Bengaluru Rural district late Saturday night, reportedly unable to bear alleged harassment and blackmail by a married woman he had befriended at the gym.The deceased, identified as Dileep, a resident of Vajrahalli in Nelamangala, was a bodybuilder who had won several competitions and worked as a gym trainer. According to the primary investigation, Dileep made a video call to his married lover and informed her that he was ending his life. He also showed her tying a cloth to the ceiling fan before taking the extreme step.Police said Dileep had met the 42-year-old married woman at the gym around two years ago, where she used to come for workouts. They became close during training sessions, and the friendship allegedly turned into a personal relationship.Following disputes between them, Dileep and the woman had approached the police a year ago. At the time, the woman and her husband had submitted a written apology, assuring that she would not remain in contact with him, Dileep also gave a written statement to maintain distance from her and the matter was compromised. However, Dileep’s family alleges that she continued to harass and blackmail him. Woman messaged Dileep’s sister about the extreme step, on the night of the incident, Dileep returned home around 11.15pm. When his father asked him to have dinner, he reportedly said he had eaten outside and went upstairs to his room. Within minutes, he allegedly tied a blanket to the ceiling fan and made a video call to the woman, showing her the noose and informing her of his decision.The woman then messaged Dileep’s sister, Vinutha, who was at home for her maternity. Initially, she sent “hi” and “hello”. When there was no response, she asked her to check on her brother. When Vinutha replied asking what was wrong, the woman said he had not eaten anything for the past three days and had tied a cloth to the fan, adding that she was scared.Alarmed, Vinutha informed her parents. “My father and I forced open the door and found Dileep hanging. We immediately untied the noose and, with the help of neighbours, rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead,” Vinutha said.She alleged that her brother ended his life due to the married woman’s harassment. “She used to show him her baby and emotionally harass him. She must be punished,” Vinutha said.Dileep’s father, Ramesh, also levelled serious allegations, claiming that the woman pressured his son to transfer his house property in her son’s name. “Unable to bear the torture, my son took his life,” he told police.The body was handed over to the family after a postmortem at Nelamangala Government Hospital on Sunday. Nelamangala Town police have registered a case and are investigating. Dileep’s mobile phone has been seized for data retrieval.If you are having suicidal thoughts or in need of emotional support, call suicide prevention helplines: Tele-Manas helpline: 14416 or 1800-891-4416, SAHAI Helpline: 080-25497777.
