Elderly man, distraught over delay in issue of Aadhaar card, attempts to end life at Erode Collectorate

A 74-year-old man attempted to end his life at the Erode Collectorate on Monday (July 27, 2026), alleging that officials had delayed issuing his Aadhaar card despite his repeated visits to the enrolment office.

The incident occurred when the weekly grievances redressal meeting was under way at the Collectorate. Police personnel deployed at the entrance, who were screening visitors, noticed the man making the attempt to end his life.

The police immediately intervened and prevented the attempt, leading to a brief commotion at the Collectorate.

The man was identified as Murugan of Poiyerikarai in Periyar Nagar. During inquiry, he told the police that he had been visiting the Aadhaar office for the past few days seeking issuance of his Aadhaar card but had not received it. Alleging that officials had been making him run from one office to another, he said he had come to the Collectorate to end his life in protest.

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