A story of intense fandom took a terrifying turn in Jabalpur, where a 30-year-old man's lifelong admiration for playback legend Kumar Sanu spiralled into a severe psychotic episode, driving him to attempt suicide twice within hours.
From Devotion to Delusion: A Frightening Descent
The man, a native of Chhapra in Bihar who was living and working in Nagpur, was travelling to his hometown with his brother-in-law. The journey turned traumatic when, on reaching Jabalpur railway station on Saturday morning, he entered a public toilet and slit his wrist and throat. When he did not emerge, his concerned relative alerted the police, who rushed him to the government medical college hospital for treatment.
Even at the hospital, his distress was not over. While being wheeled for surgery, he allegedly jumped from the first floor, sustaining injuries to his lower body. He survived both attempts and is now reported to be out of danger and in stable condition.
The Irrational Fear That Triggered the Crisis
During police questioning, the man revealed the root of his extreme actions. He explained that he had stopped singing and listening to Kumar Sanu's songs and had begun using another singer's tracks for his social media reels. This simple act of shifting musical preference fuelled an irrational and unshakeable belief in his mind.
He became convinced that Kumar Sanu's fans would hunt him down and kill him for this perceived "betrayal." "And it was out of this fear that he attempted suicide," said GRP Jabalpur police station in-charge Sanjeevani Rajput. His relative also reported that during the train journey from Nagpur to Chhapra, the man had tried to escape at several stations, indicating a state of escalating panic and distress.
Medical Perspective: Understanding Psychosis and the Path to Recovery
Doctors and authorities have strongly emphasised the critical need for sustained psychiatric intervention to prevent a relapse. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Satyakant Trivedi explained the mental state behind the episode to TOI.
"This condition is called psychosis and its core feature is delusions - false, firm, unshakeable beliefs," Dr Trivedi said. "Fear is our basic survival emotion, but in such patients, increased dopamine levels make the belief system rigid. It becomes so real that evidence doesn't convince them. Even if told that fans of a singer don't kill anyone, the patient won't believe it."
He issued a stark warning about the risks of untreated psychosis, stating that without proper treatment, the risk of repeating such extreme steps increases four to five times. "The person is acting out of a delusion and needs medical, psychological and family support for at least 2 to 3 months. Such traits are seen in around 1% of the population," he added. This case highlights the severe consequences of untreated mental health issues and the urgent need for awareness and accessible care.
