68-year-old BBMP contractor Vani Krishnam Raju dies by suicide

It is alleged that Raju took the extreme step of killing himself due to the pending bill amount

A 68-year-old BBMP contractor allegedly killed himself over debts he incurred while constructing the Dr Rajkumar Indoor Stadium in Geleyara Balaga Layout, North Bengaluru.

The victim has been identified as Krishnam Raju, a resident of 12th Cross, Kodandaramapura near Vyalikaval. Mahalakshmi Layout police said Raju was found hanging from a ceiling hook in his office at the stadium.

According to preliminary investigation, Raju had taken up the contract of constructing the indoor stadium and the work was near completion.

He went to the stadium as usual on Wednesday afternoon. Raju went into his office around 4 pm.

When the security guard did not see Raju till after 8 pm, he grew suspicious and went in search of Raju.

When repeated knocks at the office door went unanswered, the guard called Raju’s manager. They forced open the door to find Raju hanging.

There was no death note found, police said. But his family members allege that Raju took the extreme step due to financial problems as the BBMP had not cleared his bills for the construction work of the stadium. Raju also had some health issues.

Based on his manager’s complaint, police have taken up a case of unnatural death and are investigating.

‘Bills on hold endlessly’

In the wake of Raju’s death, the BBMP Civil Contractors Association slammed the Palike over prolonged delay in clearing of bills.

Ambika Pati, president of the association, said that bills submitted by contractors have been put on hold by the BBMP and the state government for close to 25 to 30 months.

“Many small-time contractors would have taken loans to complete the work undertaken by them following BBMP tenders. But when they are not paid on time, the delay adds to the pressure making them financially weak and distressed,” he said.

So far, only those contractors working under special grants are paid regularly, Pati added.

Since 2018, bills worth Rs 3,600 crore are pending for works introduced by previous corporators under the ward grants scheme, according to the association president.

Pati said they would meet the BBMP commissioner when he recovers from Covid-19 and discuss the issue of contractors suffering due to the delay in their payments.

The contractors have also approached Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan seeking financial support from the state government as the BBMP is delaying the payment citing poor tax collection in 2020 due to the pandemic.