Suicides, deaths linked to Jayalalithaa’s conviction

At least 10 reported deaths of AIADMK sympathisers, the police believe, may be related to the conviction of Jayalalithaa.

Emotional AIADMK leaders during their oath-taking ceremony at Raj Bhavan, on Monday. Source: PTI

In the last three days, at least 17 people have reportedly either committed suicide or died of shock due to the conviction of AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa. A Bangalore special court had sentenced the former CM in the Rs 66.05 crore disproportionate asset case on Saturday. A senior police officer, who refused to confirm the 17 deaths, said at least eight people had committed suicide allegedly due to Jayalalithaa’s conviction. “Deaths due to cardiac arrest are also being attributed to Jayalalithaa’s imprisonment as the deceased were party sympathisers or local leaders from different parts of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Those who committed suicide include: AIADMK sympathiser from Sivagangai, Subramanaian (70), who consumed poison on Saturday evening; 21-year-old Joshna Jhonsha who hanged herself after the verdict; Nallayirum (48), who threw himself in front of a speeding bus near Tirunelveli during a protest after the verdict; Venkitesan, a party sympathiser in Chennai city who set himself on fire and N Babu (50), an AIADMK functionary, who hanged himself at his residence in Kancheepuram. More suicides allegedly due to the verdict are being reported.

At least 10 reported deaths of AIADMK sympathisers, the police believe, may be related to the conviction of Jayalalithaa. These deaths, reportedly, took place either after the deceased watched the news of her conviction on television or while taking part in the protests. According to police, 10 deaths of party sympathisers have been reported from Virudhu Nagar, Karur, Tiruvannamalai, Pudukottai, Dindigul, Erode, Thanjavur and Salem.

Arun Janardhanan

Arun Janardhanan is an experienced and authoritative Tamil Nadu correspondent for The Indian Express. Based in the state, his reporting combines ground-level access with long-form clarity, offering readers a nuanced understanding of South India’s political, judicial, and cultural life - work that reflects both depth of expertise and sustained authority. Expertise Geographic Focus: As Tamil Nadu Correspondent focused on politics, crime, faith and disputes, Janardhanan has been also reporting extensively on Sri Lanka, producing a decade-long body of work on its elections, governance, and the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings through detailed stories and interviews. Key Coverage Areas: State Politics and Governance: Close reporting on the DMK and AIADMK, the emergence of new political actors such as actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party churn, Centre–State tensions, and the role of the Governor. Legal and Judicial Affairs: Consistent coverage of the Madras High Court, including religion-linked disputes and cases involving state authority and civil liberties. Investigations: Deep-dive series on landmark cases and unresolved questions, including the Tirupati encounter and the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, alongside multiple investigative series from Tamil Nadu. Culture, Society, and Crisis: Reporting on cultural organisations, language debates, and disaster coverage—from cyclones to prolonged monsoon emergencies—anchored in on-the-ground detail. His reporting has been recognised with the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. Beyond journalism, Janardhanan is also a screenwriter; his Malayalam feature film Aarkkariyam was released in 2021. ... Read More

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