Mysuru: B Shankaraiah, 58, Tahsildar of T Narasipura taluk, committed suicide in his official quarters in T Narasipura on Tuesday night, allegedly due to work pressure, triggering a protest by BJP leaders led by Mysuru (rural) district rural president, Mr Kote Shivanna, who also demanded a probe into the official's death.
Mr Shankaraiah is survived by his wife Pushpalatha, an advocate and vice president of Mandya district advocates association, two sons and a daughter. He joined as FDA through KPSC selection process in 1988 and got promoted to various posts. He was transferred to T Narasipura on August 1, 2016, according to family sources.
Mrs Pushpalatha told the media that her husband complained of work pressure, not from senior officers but from political leaders without specifying any name, adding that he had sought a transfer. "Had my husband been transferred from T Narasipur, he would have been alive. He was a strong man, and not a weak person to commit suicide," she said while weeping inconsolably.
His son said: "My father resided in the official quarters in T Narasipur, and came home to Mandya once in a week. But since he suffered from viral fever he was on leave for 15 days and reported to duty on Monday, 17th of this month. He spoke to my mother at 9.15pm on Tuesday night. My father's driver who came to pick him reportedly found him hanging at the quarters on Wednesday morning at around 10am. We were informed around 11am. He did not have any blood pressure or sugar problems, but he complained of fatigue these days."
When contacted Mysuru DC Mr D Randeep said, " He personally met me last month and had orally sought transfer saying that he was unable to handle work pressure as Tahsildar, as it involves lot of field visits, due to health issues. He had requested for non executive post, which has less work pressure. I had told him transfer was not in my hand, but he could take leave," he said.
During the protest, Mr Kote Shivanna alleged "though Tahsildar Shankaraiah has mentioned of work pressure he has not specified from whom. T Narsipur constituency is represented by Dr H C Mahadevappa who is close to CM, and his son Mr Sunil Bose is influencial in the region. So a inquiry must be held."
