Priest commits suicide in temple over ‘harassment’ by villagers

HASSAN: A priest committed suicide by hanging at a temple coming under the Endowment Department, alleging harassment by the villagers, at Gangur village in Belur taluk on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Rangaswamy (65).

The priest was appointed at the Sri Lakshmi Ranganathaswamy temple in the village, but the villagers had complained to the tahsildar that Rangaswamy was not conducting puja regularly. This had led to a dispute between the priest and the villagers.

On Thursday, Rangaswamy committed suicide inside the temple premises. The Halebidu police visited the spot and have registered a case. Further investigation is under way.