Man in debt due to online gambling addiction dies after self-immolation bid

BIDAR: A man who had incurred huge debts due to his online gambling addiction on the mobile phone died in hospital without responding to treatment after he attempted self-immolation by dousing himself in petrol.

Vijaykumar Jagannath Holle (25), a BPharm graduate, had run up loans of Rs 15 lakh due to his online gambling addiction. He had attempted suicide by pouring petrol on himself and was admitted to BRIMS hospital two days ago. However, he succumbed to his injuries. Vijaykumar hailed from Belur village in Hulasur taluk and was a resident of Jyothi thanda in Bhalki taluk.

Vijaykumar had got addicted to online gaming a few months ago and his family had repaid Rs 10 in loans that he had incurred. Even after that, he had taken loans of Rs 5 lakh. He was apprehensive about the outcome if his family came to know about the fresh loans and hence had attempted suicide. A case has been registered at the Mehakar police station and further investigation is under way.