Ramegowda KN, the In-Charge Panchayat Development Officer of Honganur Gram Panchayat in Chamarajanagar district, has been suspended in connection with the suicide of a Gram Panchayat employee. The tragic incident involved Chikkusanayaka, a former Panchayat waterman, who was found hanging in the Panchayat building.
A posthumous death note revealed that Chikkusanayaka’s life had become “difficult to live” due to a staggering 27 months of unpaid honorarium. The note also alleged harassment by the Panchayat Development Officer and the husband of the Gram Panchayat Chairperson.
Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Chamarajanagar East Police Station, invoking sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
An investigation found Ramegowda KN to be in dereliction of his duties, failing to comply with Section 111 of the Karnataka Gramswaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, and violating Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 1966. Consequently, he has been placed under suspension pending a departmental inquiry.
As per service rules, the suspended officer is barred from leaving his workplace without permission and will receive a subsistence allowance during the suspension period.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashok, has strongly criticized the state’s Congress government, alleging financial mismanagement and prioritizing political agendas over public welfare. His comments followed a threat of strike by the Karnataka State Contractors Association over pending bills amounting to ₹3,300 crore.