65-year-old farmer ends life, kin claim digital arrest distress

Vadodara: A 65-year-old farmer from Karyavarohan village in Dabhoi taluka died by suicide, with his relatives alleging that he took the extreme step after being digitally arrested and extorted by a cyberfraud gang.Atul Patel consumed poison at his home early on Monday morning, after which he was rushed to the hospital where he died on Tuesday.The police, however, said they are still verifying the reason behind the suicide and have so far registered only a complaint of accidental death.The deceased's nephew, Ansh Patel, told media persons that his uncle had been receiving calls from men who introduced themselves as Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) sleuths from Delhi a few days ago."My uncle was extremely stressed but didn't share much. When I urged him to speak, he only said he was getting calls from ATS officers in Delhi. They claimed dubious transactions worth crores had been made from his bank account and that he would be investigated," Ansh said.After Patel's death, the family checked his phone and found multiple suspicious call records.Sushil Agrawal, Vadodara (rural) superintendent of police, said, "We have sent his phone for forensic analysis and hope to retrieve useful data. We are probing all possible reasons behind his suicide."Police officials added that they examined Patel's bank accounts but found no transfers or suspicious financial activity."We will proceed further once the family provides complete details," an official from Dabhoi police station said.

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