Mandya: Before the news of an under trial escaping from the prison could fade away, an inmate at the District Sub-Jail has committed suicide by hanging self yesterday.

The deceased inmate has been identified as Vishwanathan (39), a resident of Hithalapura village at Kunigal taluk in Tumakuru district, who was in jail for cheating women.

Vishwanathan, a tempo driver by profession, used to make friends with garment factory employees who used to travel in his tempo. He used to befriend them, offer tea or juice laced with sedatives and after the passengers consume the drink, he used to move around till they fall asleep, take away their valuables including mobile phones and jewellery and leave them at lonely places before escaping.

Based on the complaints by some garment factory workers, the Rural Police had arrested Vishwanathan near Srinivasapura Gate on the outskirts of Mandya last month and he was in the jail since then. Vishwanathan was said to be depressed as neither his parents nor his friends visited him following which he (Vishwanathan) hanged himself with his lungi at the toilet yesterday at about 4.30 am. SP Radhika and other officials visited the District Sub Jail premises and conducted an inspection. Mandya West Police have registered a case and are investigating.