An 80-year-old food stall owner in south Delhi shot to fame overnight after a video of him crying due to poverty amid the Covid-19 lockdown went viral on social media last year. People queued up outside his stall the next few days while several of them donated money to the old man.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the 80-year-old food stall owner, identified as Kanta Prasad, reportedly attempted suicide. He was admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital at around 11.15 pm on Thursday, where he is currently undergoing treatment. The old food stall owner's son informed the police that Prasad has been depressed over the past few days due to the controversies that followed the social media attention he got last year. The 80-year-old had apparently consumed alcohol and sleeping pills.

Kanta Prasad's son Karan reportedly said, "He didn’t run the dhaba on Thursday though he went there. Around 3.30pm, his condition deteriorated and we rushed him to a nearby hospital from where he was referred to Safdarjung. He is admitted to the ICU." Meanwhile, the police said, "In his statement, Kanta Prasad’s son, Karan, said his father had consumed alcohol and sleeping pills. Further enquiries are being undertaken."

So guys I went to #MalviyaNagar and found these very old couple working hard to earn a living, when I went there and saw them struggling, I couldn't stop but cried. They said they start early at 6.30 am and by 1.30 am they could only earn Rs 60/- #VocalForLocal pic.twitter.com/avyXXVaMF2

— Gaurav Wasan (@gauravwasan08) October 8, 2020

This video completely broke my heart. Dilli waalon please please go eat at बाबा का ढाबा in Malviya Nagar if you get a chance ???? #SupportLocal pic.twitter.com/5B6yEh3k2H

— Vasundhara Tankha (@VasundharaTankh) October 7, 2020