Techie called helpline before killing himself

And he's not the only one. Credit card association says it has set up a helpline to take calls of suicide-prone people since many such debt-ridden professionals are seeking help

Techie Manjunath R, who committed suicide for fear of losing his job, had sought help and had got an appointment for Monday. But he killed himself two days before that.

Manjunath (45) had reportedly contacted the Credit Card Association of India and shared his fears. "He had called on our helpline and asked for help. He said he was to lose his job and had loans too. I had called him on Monday.u00a0 I am feeling bad now. I wish I had spoken to him earlier," said C V Giddappa, the association secretary who is also contesting parliamentary elections from Bangalore Central.

Manjunath, who worked for a private firm, had an inkling that he would lose his job. On Saturday, he sent his wife and two children to his father-in-law's house. When the wife returned, she found the door locked. Inside, her husband was hanging from the ceiling.

Living off cards

Giddappa says many techies on the verge of suicide call his helpline.

"There are those who have lost jobs and there are also those who fear they will. They are afraid that they will not be able to pay their credit card bills and EMIs. We have even set up a helpline to take calls of suicide-prone people," he said.

"I get at least one person every week who wants to commit suicide because he has lost his job and does not have money now. Many of them are just living off cards," he said.

"Two weeks ago, an employee of a software company tried to commit suicide. He was rushed to St Philomena's hospital. Another couple consumed poison along with their daughter. The daughter died while the couple survived," he said.

Helpline: 080 2212 9894u00a0