Bengaluru: A 26-year-old truck driver allegedly died by suicide inside his vehicle hours after being booked for drunk driving by traffic police in south Bengaluru Saturday night.The deceased — Shanmugam, a native of Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu — was intercepted by JP Nagar traffic police during a routine check around 11.20pm on 15th Cross, Outer Ring Road, in JP Nagar. An alcometer test showed his blood alcohol level was at 97mg/100ml, well above the permissible limit. He was also unable to produce vehicle documents, including his driver’s licence. Officials issued a notice, seized the 12-wheeler truck (TN-52-D-2590), and parked it about 100 metres away on 21st Main near the police station.According to investigators, Shanmugam later returned to the parked vehicle and allegedly hanged himself using a rope meant for securing goods. The truck, empty at the time, had been en route to Hebbal for loading after arriving from Hosur.The incident came to light at 8.05am Sunday when a passerby noticed the driver hanging on the outside of the cabin and alerted police.A senior officer said Shanmugam had spoken to the vehicle owner after being stopped, but was allegedly told to pay the fine and secure the vehicle’s release through due process. Police said he had also approached them seeking release of the truck but was informed that it could only be done via court procedures.An unnatural death report has been registered at the local police station.
