Gardening contractor commits suicide near toll plaza over upaid dues in Bagalkot

BAGALKOT: Upset that he had not been paid by a tollway company for the last six months, a labour contractor committed suicide by hanging from a tree close to the Hosur toll plaza on the Bengaluru-Solapur highway in Bagalkot district on Saturday morning.

Vareppa Pujar (50) had taken up a contract for maintenance of plants on the road median between Nidagundi and Hunagund, watering plants and maintaining cleanliness. For this, he had hired some vehicles and labourers. However, he had allegedly not been paid for the last six months and his contract was terminated.

Upset over this, Pujar hung himself from a tree around 5 am today. He was a resident of Nayanegali village in the taluk. A case has been registered in this connection.