GADAG : An engineer from Gadag has gone missing after leaving behind a letter, stating that he was being harassed by subcontractors who had not been paid for the work carried out as the state government was yet to release funds. Though he has stated in the letter that he was ending his life by suicide, there is no proof that he has taken the extreme step, as the police are yet to conclude investigation.
Parvez Dharwad, an assistant executive engineer (AEE) with the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) from Gadag, has been missing for the last two weeks and his family members have filed a complaint at the Betageri Extension police station in Gadag city.
In his letter, Parvez has stated that he was deeply distressed because funds worth crores of rupees have not been released to the subdivision contractors. Parvez wrote the letter to the executive engineer (EE) on September 12 and left the city the next day, telling his family that he was going to Bengaluru to attend a meeting. His family members filed the police complaint on September 16.
Parvez stated in the letter that subdivision contractors harassed him by visiting his home frequently and making phone calls asking him about the payments due to them. He stated that it severely impacted his mental health.
“I am ending my life. I am responsible for my death. I have failed to handle the situation. Please release the grants for these subdivision contractors and resolve the issue. Appoint another AEE. Please do not harass my family,” he pleaded in the letter.
Sahil Dharwad, his brother, said, “On that day, Parvez came home and said he had to go to Bengaluru for a meeting and that he had reserved a seat on the Hampi Express train from Gadag. He called the next morning, saying he had reached Bengaluru. He was in touch with us till noon.”
His brother-in-law Altaf said, “We have filed a complaint and he was under pressure from subcontractors. The police are investigating. We are all surprised by this move”. The police said special teams have been formed to probe and a complete picture will emerge after the probe gets over.