KSRTC Bus Driver Attempts Suicide Over Transfer in Nagamangala

BENGALURU: Unwilling to accept transfer, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor attached to Nagamangala depot in Mandya allegedly attempted suicide on Thursday late night by consuming poison and has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mysuru city.

The suicide attempt by the bus conductor identified as Jagadeesh has taken political turn with Janata Dal Secular leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy demanded the resignation of Mandya district incharge and Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy while the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted that “Kumaraswamy reacted out of frustration.”

The conductor Jagadeesh and he is said to have been issued transfer orders by KSRTC officials concerned on Thursday night when he was about to resume duty. Jagadeesh was transferred from Nagamangala to Maddur depot. A miffed Jagadeesh is said to have consumed poison and he was rushed to a nearby hospital before he was shifted to a private hospital in Mysuru city.

Wife of Jagadeesh, Bhavana, a member of Kanthapura gram panchayat in Nagamangala told reporters on Friday that her husband Jagadeesh had brought to her notice that he has been transferred to Maddur depot over allegations of misbehavior/harassment to a woman employee.

Bhavana stated that the allegations against her husband had no truth and demanded ‘justice’ to her husband and alleged that officials concerned had levelled baseless allegations.

She said officials concerned have issued  varying statements such as Jagadeesh allegedly misbehaved with a woman employee and some others allege that her husband misbehaved with a woman passenger leading to his transfer.

Bhavana stated that her husband has left behind a death note and accused Minister for Agriculture Cheluvarayaswamy of taking the drastic step to end his life. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured to look into the suicide attempt of Jagadeesh.

Meanwhile, H.D. Kumaraswamy visited the hospital in which Jagadeesh has been treated and stated that doctors told him that Jagadeesh is treated in ICU and under observation. Kumaraswamy said no FIR has been registered in the case by the police officers so far.