Doctor commits suicide over alleged harassment by DHO, latter denies allegations

BENGALURU: A doctor committed suicide by hanging himself  at his residence in Mahalakshmi Layout on Saturday. He was apparently fed up of harassment by the Mandya District Health Officer. The deceased doctor was identified as Nataraj.  He was working as Welfare Officer in the Mandya Health Department.

Nataraj was on leave for the past few days as he suffered a heart attack. On Saturday, he was supposed to resume his duties in the Mandya Health Department. But, the Mandya DHO directed him not to report today, and it is alleged that he was fed up with harassment by the officer and committed suicide.

Another officer, Bettaswamy, was transferred as Pandavapura taluk health officer. But Bettaswamy had not reported in Pandavapura. Nataraj claimed that the DHO was in favour of Bettaswamy. The police suspected that this may be the reason why he took the extreme step and are investigating the case on this ground.

But, Mandya DHO Dr  Mohan rejected the allegations. Dr Mohan clarified that Dr Nataraj was working as a medical officer at the Primary Health Centre at Chaudanakuppe in Kunigal taluk. He was transferred as District Family Welfare Officer in Mandya in September. Following the transfer, he worked only for two months and was on leave for 30 days due to health problems. “He was suffering from depression due to a family dispute. Thus, he was not given much work pressure.  He had tried to commit suicide three times in the past”, Dr Mohan claimed.

“On November 11, Dr Nataraj was unable to perform his duties as a family welfare officer due to family issues and illness. Therefore, Nataraj wrote a letter to Minister Cheluvarayaswamy and the DHO to appoint him as Medical Officer of the Primary Health Centre at Chaudanakuppe. The prime reason for his death was depression due to a domestic issue. I have nothing to do with Nataraj’s suicide” Dr Mohan insisted.