Shivamogga: Social welfare department cook consumes poison, dies after absence query

Shivamogga: A male cook, employed at social welfare department, who had consumed poison after the officials concerned asked him the reason for unauthorised absence for over 15 days, breathed his last in a hospital in the city on Monday.

According to sources, Suresh is the deceased person. It is said that he was working as a cook in a hostel run by social welfare department. He was preparing food at night in the official residence of Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Hemanth after completing his work in the hostel. As he was absent for work over the last 15 days without intimation, the officials of social welfare department asked him the reason.

Fearing that he might be sacked by the officer, he consumed poison and was admitted to district general hospital. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in the city.

Speaking to DH, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Hemanth denied the issuance of notice to him. "Suresh used to come in the evening to my house to prepare dinner. There was no need to take extreme step. He could have told the reason for his absence. It is unfortunate that he died. "