Policemen check the vehicle carrying Mahantesh Bilagi and his relatives after the road accident near Kalaburagi on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Senior IAS officer Mahantesh Bilagi, who was the managing director of Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited (KSMCL), died in a road accident near Gonahalli Cross in Jewargi taluk of Kalaburagi district on Tuesday evening.
Two of his relatives, Shankar Bilagi and Eeranna Bilagi, also lost their lives in the accident.
According to police sources, the 51-year-old officer from Ramdurg in Belagavi district was traveling to Kalaburagi to attend a family wedding when the accident occurred at 5.30 pm.
Initial reports indicated that the car carrying the victims entered the median and overturned. Two relatives who accompanied him died on the spot while Bilagi, who sustained serious injuries, was taken to a private hospital in Kalaburagi.
Despite prompt treatment, he died from his injuries.
A 2012 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer, Bilagi hailed from Ramdurg.
Before taking over as CEO of KSMCL, he held several important posts including Deputy Commissioner of Davangere and CEO of BESCOM.
Before joining government services, he worked as an English teacher in Dharwad.
As deputy commissioner of Davangere, Bilagi focused on urban development and grievance redressal mechanisms.
As Executive Director of BESCOM, he tried to streamline power management and solve consumer problems.
The news of his death sent shockwaves across the bureaucracy.
Senior officers, including Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasula and District Health and Family Officer Sharanabasappa Kyatanal, visited the hospital shortly after receiving the information.
Published – 25 Nov 2025 20:57 IST
