Tumakuru: A 59-year-old Assistant Director of the Social Welfare Department, identified as Mallikarjun, allegedly died by suicide in his office in Pavagada town, Tumakuru district, raising serious allegations of workplace harassment. Mallikarjun, who had served in the department for three years and was nearing retirement, reportedly recorded a video message before his death, which has since gone viral.
In the video, he accused a Joint Director, Krishnappa, of subjecting him to mental harassment. He expressed that his family had always supported him but that the continuous harassment from his superior drove him to this tragic decision, calling for justice from both the law and God.
The incident was discovered after office staff had left for the day, with Mallikarjun believed to have taken his life later in the evening. A death note was also recovered, and officials are currently verifying its contents as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Pavagada police have registered a case and are probing the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the allegations against the senior officer. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding workplace stress and harassment within government departments, prompting calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.
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