A shocking incident has come to light in Karnataka where a government officer from the Social Welfare Department died by suicide just a week before his retirement. Mallikarjun recorded a video before his death, alleging harassment by a senior official. This tragic case has sparked serious concerns about workplace harassment and accountability in government departments.
Mallikarjun, Assistant Director in the Social Welfare Department, hailed from Gundarlahalli village near Pavagada and was due to retire soon. He had been serving in the department for the past three years and went out of his way so far this month. When he sent his colleagues a video message, he said Joint Director Krishnappa harassed him and that was to make him take the extreme step.
Mallikarjun expressed gratitude on television to his family– his mom, wife and children had been a model of love in the process, he said and kept him proud. However, he admitted he could not continue to support them because of the harassment he was through. In addition, Krishnappa would suffer and do to him justice, God and law, and let them see this but told his family not to fight any revenge.
We soon discovered a sad tale: Mallikarjun’s father also worked in the same department and died just months before his retirement. Mallikarjun received his job on compassionate grounds after his father died. Now he has died just days before his retirement and now he leaves behind a painful legacy for his family.
The Pavagada police rushed to the spot and filed a case. The video has raised questions and their investigation into the role of the senior officer is looking into that. The incident has highlighted a problem in the handling of workplace harassment against women at different government institutions and the lack of staff safeguards.
This is not exactly an isolated attack. In May 2024, another Karnataka government officer, Chandrashekharan P, died by suicide in Shivamogga, leaving behind a six-page note alleging harassment by colleagues. These repeated cases underscore institutional failures in workplace pressure, lack of accountability, and inadequate protection measures are at stake.
Finally, Mallikarjun’s tragic death underscores the desperate need for workplace harassment to be dealt with in government departments. His story is about how unchecked abuse of power can destroy lives and families; but more robust accountability, mental health service for workers and stronger action against harassment are required and the tragedy will occur in the future.
