Blaming harassment and work pressure, another officer kills self in Siddaramaiah government

Shankaraiah, Tahsildar of T Narasipur taluk hanged himself to death at his official quarters A heart patient, Shankaraiah had sought for transfer for many times but in vain This reportedly pushed him into depression

Yet another officer in the Siddaramaiah government killed himself blaming severe work pressure and harassment in T Narasipur in Mysuru district on Wednesday. The deceased is identified as B Shankaraiah (58) who hanged himself to death at his official quarters. Shankaraiah was reportedly suffering from heart problems and was unable to cope with the work pressure. He had requested to be transferred to Mandya where his family lived.

Shankaraiah had even managed to obtain letters from legislators HC Mahadevappa and KRRS MLA KS Puttannaiah requesting a transfer to Mandya, reports The New Indian Express. However, he was depressed for the past some months as authorities concerned did not consider his request.

Shankaraiah was reportedly under pressure after a few dalit organisations had protested against the officer after the latter reportedly asked the officials to follow the rule in issuing ST certificates. Besides, he was under severe work pressure, which allegedly forced him to take the extreme step.

Shankaraiah's wife Pushpalatha Shankaraiah who is an advocate in Mandya blamed the government for her husband's death. "My husband always complained about the work load. He had sought for transfer but in vain. Had the officials considered his request for transfer, perhaps he would not have taken this step," Pushpalatha said. Reports suggested that Shankaraiah's daughter's marriage was fixed in September. Shankaraiah has reportedly left behind a suicide note, but the police have refused to divulge the details in the note, reports The New Indian Express.

It may be recalled here, IAS officer DK Ravi and DySP MK Ganapathi too had killed themselves complaining harassment and pressure at the workplace. Both these suicides had rocked the Siddaramaiah government as his cabinet colleague, and minister KJ George was blamed for the death of these two officers.