MYSURU: T Narasipur tahsildar B Shankaraiah (58) allegedly committed suicide by hanging at Kabini guest house here on Wednesday. It is said Shankaraiah who was ailing with heart problems was depressed and had complained to family members about work pressure.
However, the BJP demanded a CBI probe into the death. The suicide came to light when a few officials visited the guest house after he failed to respond to their phone calls. He also left a suicide note which is in the custody of the police. The details of the note have not been disclosed and police seized his three diaries too. Shankaraiah, a native of Mandya district, has been serving as T Narasipur tahsildar for the past 11 months. He was on leave for 15 days for heart-related treatment in Bengaluru.
Sources said he had managed to take letters from MLA H C Mahadevappa and KRRS MLA K S Puttanniah, requesting transfer to Mandya, saying that he wanted to live with his family members.
Shankaraiah, who had served as tahsildar in Pandavapura, was transferred to T Narsipur last year. He was under pressure as a few dalit bodies had protested a delay in convening SC/ST meetings a couple of days ago.Sources said some people had raised objections after Shankaraiah asked officials to go by the rule book in issuing ST certificates. He had directed authorities to check school admission records before issuing the certificates.
Many revenue officials said depression and excess workload may be the reasons for Shankaraiah taking the extreme step. He sometimes stayed at Kabini guest house, if he could not go to his native. His family stays at Cauvery Nagar in Mandya. Shankaraiah’s daughter Nandhini’s marriage was fixed in September. As the news spread like wildfire, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep and SP Ravi D Channavar visited the guest house. The postmortem was conducted at Mysuru medical college which was vediographed.
Randeep confirmed that Shankaraiah has left a death note and refused to give further details. The contents of the letter are confidential and it is in the safe custody of the police, he said. Speaking to Express, he said they have not ordered any probe as the circumstantial evidence pointed to death by hanging.
Had applied for leave
Shankaraiah had applied for leave on May 15 and it was under consideration of officials. As per his request to reduce workload, a grade II tahsildar was deputed to look into pension, certificate and other sections.
DC rules out any foul play
No other marks, injuries found on the body
Body was brought down in front of family members
He had gone on leave in May and had again requested for leave
Sought posting of grade II tahsildar in T Narasipur
Officials refused to divulge details of death note
BJP demands probe into the suicide