The Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Council SL Dharmegowda was found dead on the rail tracks in Chikkamagaluru district’s Kadur. According to police, a suicide note was found at the site and preliminary investigation suggests it as a case of suicide. His body was found by police at 2 AM on Tuesday morning. It is being speculated that Dharmegowda might’ve resorted to the extreme step as he might’ve felt remorseful over being heckled in the Legislative Assembly.
Viral footage of the December 15th proceedings from the Karnataka Vidhan Parishad shows several Congress legislators heckling and manhandling the 64-yr old Deputy Speaker and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, by pulling him from his seat. It is being alleged that this insult by Congress leaders might’ve driven the JD(S) leader to take the extreme step. Dharmegowda had left his residence alone on Monday night without informing his gunmen or security personnel.
“It is shocking to learn the news of Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Council and JDS leader SL Dharmegowda’s suicide. He was a calm and decent man. This is a loss of the state (sic),” HD Deve Gowda, the former PM and JD(S) leader said. Even, BS Yediyurappa the Chief Minister of Karnataka condoled the demise of Dharmegowda saying that the latter was an upright politician who had been like a brother to him and that his death comes as a shock.
