Coimbatore: Dejected over being sacked from his job for “negligence” in duty, a 70-year-old watchman allegedly starved himself to death in his house here, police said.

Francis was dismissed as watchman of a textile mill a week ago for alleged failure to record receipt of a parcel, though he pleaded not guilty.

Upset over this, he locked himself in a room in his house, telling his wife that he will not take food till he was proved not guilty, police said.

His wife attempted to feed him through the window, but Francis stuck to his decision to fast, The Times of India reported.

As there was no response from him since early this morning and hearing only some murmurs his wife sought the help of neighbours who broke open the door and found him unconscious.

Francis was rushed to a government hospital, where he died before admission, police said, adding further investigations were on.