Daijiworld Media Network - Kolar (SP)

Kolar, Oct 18: In a worrisome development and continuing in the line of suicides which happened earlier this year in the state by deputy inspectors of police, Kallappa Handibag from Chikkamagaluru and Ganapati from Mangaluru, another police officer from Malur ended his life. The officer who killed himself in this case happens to be Raghavendra, circle inspector of Malur police station in the district.

Raghavendra ended his life by firing at himself with his service revolver in his office inside the police station on the night of Monday October 17. In a death note he left behind, Raghavendra said that he was solely responsible for his death. However, he did not say why he decided to kill himself.

As per information gathered, Raghavendra belonged to Narasapura near Vemagal in the district. He was a 2003 batch police officer. He had served as police sub-inspector at Sarjapur police station in Anekal taluk, which forms a part of Bengaluru city, for three years since 2012. He also had worked in Nandagudi police station near Sarjapur. He was promoted as circle inspector two years back.

District superintendent of police, Divya Gopinath, rushed to Malur immediately after coming to know of this tragedy. She is making inquiries and checking records for clues about the reasons behind this suicide. Speaking to media persons during her visit, Divya claimed that actual reason for the officer's suicide is not yet known. She said that the forensic team has been informed, and that the team would undertake detailed verification. At present, a case has been registered and investigation has been undertaken, she added.

It is said that a case had been registered with the Lokayukta against Raghavendra in the past about his involvement with gambling , and that the case is presently being heard by the state high court. After Lokaykukta raided him in 2014, he was lodged inside Parappana Agrahara jail for a week in judicial custody, it is learnt. After that he began working as circle inspector at Malur police station, sources said.

While some sources claim that he was under immense pressure from sand mafia and higher officials, some others say he was harried by certain serious family-related issues.