LUCKNOW, July 12 -- The dark world of money lending, harassment and humiliation has snared many businessmen as a disturbing pattern of suicides linked to mounting debt has shaken the city traders' community.

In multiple recent tragedies, a businessman from the Chowk area killed his wife and minor daughter before allegedly taking his own life, unable to bear the pressure of spiraling loans of approximately Rs.50 lakh and relentless harassment from loan sharks.

Similarly, another 36-year-old realtor from Gudamba shot himself in his office. He also went live on Facebook right before the suicide and mentioned over Rs.15-crore debt and pressure from the creditors to repay the amount, failing which he went into depression. Likewise, a gas cyl...