India: Karnataka man’s INR 10 million loss in IPL betting ends in wife’s tragic suicide

Darshan Babu, an engineer, wasacricket bettorand hadbeen putting significant money on Indian Premier League (IPL) games since 2021. He even frequently borrowed money to place a bet when he was short on funds. Tired of theconstant harassment by her husband's creditors, Darshan’s 23 years old wife died by suicide.

Ranjitha was found hanging at her home in Karnataka's Chitradurga on March 18. According to the family, Darshan had racked up a debt of over Rs 10 million.

Employed as an assistant engineer in the Minor Irrigation Department at Hosadurga, Darshan became entangled in IPL betting from 2021 to 2023, causing significant financial strain for the couple.

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According to reports, Darshan borrowed over Rs 10.5 million to continue placing bets after incurring substantial losses. Although he managed to repay Rs 10 million, authorities state that he still owes a remaining loan of ₹84 lakh.

Ranjitha and Darshan were married since 2020, according to her father Venkatesh, she became aware of Darshan's involvement in betting in 2021.

In his complaint, Venkatesh said that his daughter was extremely distressed due to the constant harassment by moneylenders and this led to her suicide. He has also named 13 men who had allegedly lent the money.

Venkatesh mentioned that his son-in-law was enticed into betting with the promise of fast cash.

"Darshan was not willing to get into betting, but the suspects forced him saying it was an easy way to get rich. They promised to finance his betting activities against some blank cheques as security," he said.

Police during their investigation found a suicide note, where Ranjitha detailed the harassment they faced from the moneylenders. Darshan and Ranjitha have a two-year-old son.

(With inputs from agencies)