BTech student ends life due to financial losses from 1Win illegal offshore betting app

Selam Manoj, a 20-year-old BTech student, took his own life due to financial distress caused by online betting addiction. Manoj hailed from Gudimalkapur, near Hyderabad. He succumbed to the pressures of debts incurred through online betting on the illegal 1Win app.

According to reports on India Today, Manoj’s addiction to online betting led him to borrow significant sums of money from friends and acquaintances. Despite warnings from his family about the dangers of excessive gambling, Manoj continued and eventually accumulated substantial debts. His father, a carpenter by profession, expressed sorrow over his son’s demise. Speaking to the Times of India, he attributed Manoj’s suicide to the relentless harassment from loan representatives.

The situation escalated when Manoj reportedly lost an amount of Rs. 3 lakhs on the 1Win app. To fix the situation, his parents intervened, repaying the borrowed amount to his friends. However, the psychological toll of financial ruin proved too much for Manoj to bear, ultimately leading him to end his life.

The authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Manoj’s death. The police have registered a case under Section 174 of the CrpC, delving into Manoj’s online activities and the platforms he frequented for gambling.

As the investigation unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for stringent regulations and enforcement measures to curb the spread of such illicit platforms. Additionally, there is a pressing need for greater awareness and support systems to address the underlying issues of gambling addiction and prevent further tragedies in the future. This incident sheds light on the dark side of online gambling and the upsetting consequences it can have on vulnerable individuals, particularly the youth.