Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu:
Unable to raise money for a surgery, a 57-year-old man and his wife allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison in Ramanathapuram today.
G Murugesan, a local beverage unit owner, and his wife Jothilakshmi (54) took the extreme step as they did not want to be a burden on their two sons, who were not economically well off, police said.
The couple had even bought materials required for their funeral, they said.
Murugesan, who was physically handicapped, had suffered a fracture six months ago in a road accident and the doctors had advised him to go for a surgery that would cost around Rs. three lakh.
As he could not afford the expenses, he decided to end his life, officials said.
A relative, who called on the couple this morning, found Murugesan dead and his wife unconscious.
Police said the woman died after reaching the hospital.