SHIVAMOGGA: An 85-year-old man, distressed over his failing health, shot himself dead with a single-barrel gun at his house at Koteshirur Tattekodlu near Nittur in Hosanagar taluk in the wee hours on Monday. The deceased was identified as Ramachandra Rao.
The impact of the gunshot was such that Rao’s entire head scattered in pieces. A few days ago, he had collapsed in his house and since then, he was suffering from pain in the head when he went to sleep. He had even sought medical treatment.
On Sunday night, he spoke as usual with his children, popped betel leaves to chew after dinner and retired to his room. Around 1.30 am, his children were suddenly woken up by the sound of the gunshot and they found Ramachandra Rao dead. The town police visited the spot and have registered a case.
In another incident, a 19-year-old youth from Sakleshpur ended his life by jumping into the Purale lake in Shivamogga three days ago. On spotting the body floating in the water on Monday morning, locals informed the police.
Sanketh had completed his ITI course, but was not employed. His father had reportedly been pusing him to find a job and it is suspected that he may have ended his life due to depression. Sanketh had told his parents that he was heading out work last Friday after which his mobile phone was switched off. A missing person’s complaint had been filed at the Sakleshpur Rural police station.


