Karnataka: College student dies by suicide in Dharwad, 3 policemen suspended

A college student allegedly died by suicide here, following which three policemen were suspended over allegations of harassment linked to his death by the victim's family. Aditya Myageri, (20), a BSc student at a private college here, was among 18 students detained by the Vidyagiri police on April 25 during an anti-drug drive, police said on Wednesday. He hailed from Belur village in Bagalkot district, but was staying with his friends at a rented accommodation in Girinagar area of Dharwad city, police said. Eighteen students were tested. Aditya was among the 10 who had tested negative for ganja consumption and was subsequently released. Some of his roommates, however, tested positive. According to police, Aditya's family alleged that despite testing negative, he was harassed by police. They also claimed some policemen demanded Rs 2,000 to settle the matter and threatened legal action if he failed to pay. He had called his mother asking for money, but she could not arrange it immediately, the family claimed. On Monday night, Aditya allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at his rented accommodation, with his family alleging police harassment and pressure over demand for money drove him to the extreme step, a senior police officer said. Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told PTI that an unnatural death case has been registered at Vidyagiri police station. Three policemen have been suspended over the allegations, and further investigation is underway. Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that an inquiry is on and the suspension is only a preliminary action, not punishment. ''An inquiry is on as to why it happened. Those who were with him (deceased) had consumed drugs, he had not consumed -- this is the basic information. We are verifying as to why he committed suicide. If anyone from the department is responsible, we will take action. Suspension is only a preliminary action, not punishment. We will take action after inquiry,'' he told reporters in Bengaluru. BJP State President B Y Vijayendra said in Dharwad, a student was falsely accused of consuming illicit substances and subjected to harassment by the local police, pushing him into extreme distress. ''Such inhuman conduct is not just a failure of duty, it reflects a serious breakdown of accountability under this Congress government. The victim's family has alleged repeated coercion for money over the past few days,'' he said in a post on 'X'. Vijayendra said both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Parameshwara must take moral responsibility, and the officials involved should be immediately dismissed with stringent legal action initiated against them. ''A fair and impartial investigation must be ensured, and the government must immediately announce compensation of at least Rs 50 lakh to the bereaved family. Accountability must be fixed, and such incidents must never be allowed to recur,'' he added. Describing the incident as ''tragic'' and ''deeply painful'', Union Minister Pralhad Joshi claimed that there had been an attempt to implicate an innocent student who had come to Dharwad for studies in this case. ''I have called and informed the Police Commissioner that the highest priority and appropriate investigation must be conducted in this matter at the earliest. I have demanded that the errant police inspector and staff involved in this case be immediately suspended and strict action be taken against them,'' he said, in a post on 'X'. Alleging that the law and order situation in Karnataka has deteriorated, the union minister said that the state government must bear moral responsibility for this incident. ''Compensation must be provided to the family of the deceased student. I will continue the fight until justice is served to the deceased student,'' he added.

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