- By Deeksha Gour
- Sat, 18 Oct 2025 11:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karnataka News: A 40-year-old waterman died by suicide outside the Honganuru Gram Panchayat office in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, allegedly over the non-payment of salary for 27 months and harassment by officials. The deceased, identified as Chikoosa Nayaka, had been working at the Panchayat since 2016.
According to the police, Nayaka left behind a suicide note in which he detailed the financial hardship he faced and the repeated denial of his wages despite multiple requests. He claimed that his pleas to clear the dues went unanswered, pushing him into despair, as per a NDTV report.
Suicide Note Blames Panchayat Officials
In his note, Nayaka wrote that he had repeatedly approached the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) and the Gram Panchayat president for his pending salary but received no response. He added that he even took his grievance to the Zilla Panchayat CEO, but no action followed.
He also accused PDO Rame Gowda and Mohan Kumar, the husband of the Gram Panchayat president, of subjecting him to constant mental harassment. The note alleged that the officials forced him to remain in the office from 8 AM to 6 PM and refused to grant leave unless he found a replacement.
“I am ending my life due to the harassment by Rame Gowda and Mohan Kumar. Please take legal action against them,” the note read.
Action Taken Against Officials
Following the incident, the Chamarajanagar Police registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the two accused officials. The Zilla Panchayat CEO also suspended PDO Rame Gowda for negligence and violation of service rules.
Local officials said an inquiry is underway to verify the allegations and review salary records of contract workers under the Panchayat.
Political Reactions
The BJP criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of administrative failure. BJP leaders said this was the second suicide in a week by a government employee over unpaid wages.
“Just two days ago, a librarian in Kalaburagi died by suicide due to pending salary. Now another life has been lost to the Congress government’s financial mismanagement,” a BJP spokesperson said.
He further questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, stating that a person earning just Rs 5,000 a month had been pushed to death because of unpaid dues, calling it an example of “insensitive governance.”
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