A tragic incident has shaken the Karnataka police force as a senior officer ended his life, leaving behind a note alleging severe harassment by a colleague. In a separate but equally distressing event in the same state, a teenage girl also took her own life following alleged persistent harassment.
Head Constable's Suicide at Shivamogga Police Station
Muhammad Zakriya, a 55-year-old head constable attached to the Shivamogga city traffic police station (west), was found dead in the station's backyard in the early hours of Thursday. The officer had recently resumed duty after taking a few days of leave.
According to police sources, Zakriya had performed his duties at the Shivamogga private bus terminal on Wednesday night before returning to the station. The discovery of his body prompted an immediate response, with Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil visiting the spot to oversee the initial investigation.
A Death Note Reveals Years of Distress
The case took a serious turn with the recovery of a death note written by Zakriya. In the note, the deceased constable made grave allegations against a fellow staff member. He wrote that he had served the department with dedication for 26 years but had been subjected to mental harassment for the past year.
The note explicitly stated: "A fellow staff member harassed me for the past year, created conflicts, and spread false information. This caused me mental distress and health issues." Zakriya further mentioned that he had raised his concerns with both colleagues and senior officers, but his pleas went unheeded, leaving him with no recourse.
SP B. Nikhil confirmed to reporters that the death note contained allegations of harassment. "We will probe the charges," he assured, indicating that an investigation would be initiated based on the findings. However, police officials stated they are currently awaiting a formal complaint from Zakriya's grieving family to proceed with a full-fledged investigation. Zakriya, a native of Shivamogga, is survived by his wife and two children.
Separate Tragedy: Teenage Girl Ends Life in Nanjangud
In a parallel tragedy in the Mysuru district, a 17-year-old girl died by suicide on January 6, allegedly due to harassment. The victim, identified as Divya, was a first-year Pre-University (I PU) student at a government college in Nanjangud town.
According to her father, Gurumurthy, Divya was deeply troubled by the behaviour of a boy named Aditya, who had been persistently pursuing her. Despite Gurumurthy warning the boy to stop, Aditya did not mend his ways, which ultimately led the teenager to take the extreme step at her home in Neelakantha Nagar, Nanjangud.
Following the heartbreaking incident, Gurumurthy filed a formal complaint against Aditya. Acting on the complaint, the Nanjangud Town police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the circumstances that drove the young student to end her life.
A Call for Systemic Change and Support
These two incidents, occurring within days of each other in Karnataka, highlight severe issues related to mental harassment and the mechanisms available to address such grievances. The police constable's case raises serious questions about the workplace environment within the force and the efficacy of internal complaint redressal systems.
The teenage girl's suicide underscores the devastating impact of persistent harassment on young minds and the critical need for effective intervention. Both tragedies serve as a somber reminder of the importance of:
- Robust anti-harassment policies in workplaces and institutions.
- Accessible and trustworthy grievance channels for employees and students.
- Mental health support systems to help individuals in distress.
As investigations proceed in both Shivamogga and Nanjangud, the outcomes will be closely watched, with hopes for justice for the victims and meaningful steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
