Rudreshwar Yadavannavar, a second division assistant in the Tahsildar’s office, allegedly confided in friends that he faced mental harassment and was being pressured into illegal activities at work. Despite efforts by the Belagavi Police to detain Belagavi Tahsildar Basavaraj Nagaral, Somu—personal assistant to Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar—and first division assistant Ashok Kabbaligar, the three suspects applied for anticipatory bail on Friday.
Over recent days, the police have been unable to apprehend the accused, as BJP leaders call for swift action, alleging that harassment led to Yadavannavar’s suicide in Nagaral’s official chamber on Monday night. According to sources, police face significant pressure not to arrest the suspects, despite the filing of an FIR. On the day of the incident, Nagaral reportedly attended the office. The investigation is ongoing, and police have issued notices to all individuals in recent WhatsApp contact with Yadavannavar.
Shortly before his death, Yadavannavar left a final WhatsApp message naming the three individuals as responsible for his situation. He had allegedly been under intense pressure from the suspects to assist in unlawful transfers of land ownership in Belagavi. Friends claim he had paid the Tahsildar a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh, yet no reassignment within the office was provided.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from around the Tahsildar’s office to track movements on the day of the incident. Meanwhile, BJP leaders in Belagavi have raised concerns over the sudden replacement of the investigating officer, with ACP Shekharappa now leading the case in place of the previous CPI, which they allege was done under political influence.
