Three persons belonging to the same family attempted to immolate themselves at the district collectorate here today.

The couple said they were being harassed by a money lender, whom they allege, was demanding very high interest rates.

Kathiresan, who was running an automobile spare parts shop in Karumathampatti, had borrowed Rs. 6 lakhs from a person a few years ago to expand his business and returned it with interest within the stipulated time.

According to Kathiresan’s wife Selvanayagi, the lender started demanding exorbitant interest and threatened of dire consequences if they did not transfer the shop in his name. “He also lodged a complaint against my husband,” she said.

“We had no other chances to bring it to the notice of authorities. Hence the bid,” Selvanayagi added.

The couple, along with their 10-year-old son, had come to the collectorate with a can of kerosene. He poured the kerosene on him, his wife and son and tried to light a match stick. However, police overpowered him and took him to the nearest police station.