Updated
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Jun 5: Puttur city municipal councillor Ramesh Rai Nellikatte (55) died by suicide after jumping into a drinking water tank near the banks of the Netravati river at Panemangalore. His body was recovered from the tank later in the afternoon.
Earlier in the day, at around 11 am, Ramesh Rai had reportedly travelled from Puttur on his bike and parked it under the old Panemangalore bridge. He left behind his shirt, purse, slippers, and mobile phone before going missing.
Locals who noticed the abandoned bike and belongings informed the Bantwal town police. Upon arriving at the spot and tracing the mobile phone, the police confirmed the identity of the vehicle and belongings as those of Ramesh Rai and informed his family members.
After the arrival of his family, police, along with local swimmers and the Bantwal fire and emergency team, launched a search operation in the river and surrounding areas.
At around 4:30 PM, Ramesh Rai’s body was found floating inside a drinking water tank belonging to the municipality, located near where he had parked his bike. Police suspect that he took off his shirt and left his personal belongings nearby before jumping into the tank.
The exact reason behind the suicide remains unclear.
Ramesh Rai had been running a driving school in the Sullia-Puttur region for several years. A loyal BJP worker and prominent social activist, he had previously served as a municipal councillor and was recently re-elected for a second term. He had won the by-election held after the demise of Congress councillor Shakti Sinha.
He was widely known for his dedication to the party and his popularity among the public.
Ramesh Rai is survived by his wife, a son who works at the town bank, a daughter who is a student, and several other relatives.
Earlier report
Puttur city municipal councillor goes missing near Panemangalore bridge
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Jun 5: In a mysterious development, a bike, mobile phone, shirt, and slippers were found abandoned under the old Netravati bridge near Panemangalore. The belongings are said to be of Ramesh Rai Nellikatte, a resident of Puttur and a councillor of Puttur city municipal council.
Ramesh Rai had contested and won the recent by-election to the Puttur city municipal council as a BJP candidate.
According to locals, the abandoned items were noticed around 11 am on Thursday, June 5, following which they informed the police.
Based on the mobile phone found at the spot, it has been confirmed that the belongings belong to Ramesh Rai.
Family members of Ramesh Rai, police officials, and locals have gathered at the location, and search operations are currently underway in the river to trace him.