‘God will punish him’: Karnataka social welfare department official dies by suicide, blames senior

BENGALURU: A 60-year-old assistant director with the social welfare department, due for retirement in last week of March, was found hanging in his office at Pavagada, Tumakuru district, Friday evening. Mallikarjun, a resident of Pavagada, sent a video on WhatsApp to his friends saying he will commit suicide. Police said his wife and children reside in Tumakuru, while Mallikarjun lives with his mother in Pavagada. In the video, Mallikarjun blamed his joint director, Krishnappa, for harassing him and pushing him to take the extreme step. “My family has looked after me well. I should have helped them, but Krishnappa’s harassment has forced me to take this step. God will punish him. Also, law will take care of him, and my family members need not take revenge,” Mallikarjun is heard saying in the video.Based on the complaint made by Mallikarjun’s wife, Pavagada Town police registered an abetment case against Krishnappa.