Assistant director of social welfare department in Karnataka hanged himself in the office

In Tumkuru district of Karnataka, the Assistant Director of Social Welfare Department committed suicide by hanging himself in his office. Before dying, the officer recorded a video in which he accused the senior officer of torturing him. The officer was identified as Mallikarjuna. Police said the deceased Mallikarjuna was found hanging from the ceiling fan in the office of the Social Welfare Department in Pavagada town.

Video message released before suicide

The police maintained that before committing suicide, the officer himself had recorded a video from his mobile phone. In this video he alleged that he was forced to take this decision due to the harassment by Joint Director Krishnappa. Police said that Mallikarjuna was a resident of Gundarlahalli in Pavagada. In the video, he also said that his mother, wife and children had taken very good care of him. He said that God and the law will definitely punish his senior colleague for his actions. The family members of the deceased have filed a complaint against Krishnappa.

Joint director Krishnappa said responsible for suicide

Mallikarjuna, a resident of Gundarlahalli village in Pavagada taluk, was working as an assistant director in this department for the last three years. Meanwhile, documents accessed by the media reveal that on March 12, Joint Director Krishnappa had ordered an inquiry against Mallikarjuna following some complaints. It was clearly stated in the order that a team of officers has also been formed to investigate the allegations against him. Following the suicide of social welfare department official Mallikarjuna in Pavagada, Tumakuru district department’s joint director Krishnappa released a video denying the allegations against him.

Investigation orders were given against deceased Mallikarjuna

Krishnappa claims that he had never personally harassed Mallikarjuna in any way nor had he ever visited his office, conducted any inspection or issued any notice. He said a notice was issued based on a complaint received from the Bengaluru headquarters, alleging irregularities, and two employees were appointed to investigate, although the investigation was yet to begin.

Krishnappa also said that there were only ten days left for Mallikarjuna’s retirement, so there was no possibility of any impact on his pension and in fact he had supported and verified his pension proposal. Calling the death suspicious, Krishnappa urged that the truth behind the incident be brought to light.