Coronavirus: 65-year-old man commits suicide in Maharashtra over fear of contracting COVID-19

 In the suicide note, the 65-year-old man wrote that he took the extreme step due to the fear of contracting COVID-19  

Mumbai: The fear of contracting COVID-19 infection allegedly forced a 65-year-old man to commit suicide in Maharashtra's Beed district.

The incident occurred at Mangewadi in Patoda on Thursday. A passerby found the body of Asaram Pote hanging from a tree in his farm, an official said.

Police were immediately alerted and Pote's body was brought down in the presence of his relatives and locals, he said.

A suicide note was found on the deceased's person, in which he said that he had taken the extreme step as he was scared of contracting COVID-19 infection and no one should be held responsible for his death, the official said.

A case of accidental death was registered in this regard and further probe is underway, he added.

With India registering over 9,000 coronavirus cases for the second straight day, the number of coronavirus cases in India hit a new high. India's COVID-19 count surged past the grim milestone of 2.26 lakh.