Impact of Suicide Pact: Relatives and villagers protest at the morgue

Relatives of Kempayyanahundi families and residents of the village gathered outside the mortuary on the MMCRI campus in Mysuru on Tuesday, demanding strict action against the person accused of aiding and abetting their suicide. | Photo credit: MA Sriram

A day after the suicide of three family members in Kempayyanahundi village nearby, relatives and villagers on Tuesday gathered outside the mortuary on the premises of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) in the city and demanded strict action against the accused, who was arrested by the police.

The deceased, identified as Shivanna (54), his wife Nagarathna (44) and their daughter Rakshita (22) were found dead in their house in the village on Monday after allegedly consuming poison before accusing Ullas Gowda, also a resident of the village, of inducing suicide in the death certificate obtained by the police.

T. Narsipura police, who registered the case, arrested Ullas Gowda when he was allegedly trying to flee to Bengaluru. The accused, who was in love with Rakshita, opposed her marriage to another boy to whom she was engaged. He allegedly sent his photos with Rakshita to the groom-to-be, causing agony in her family.

Relatives and residents of the village gathered in front of the mortuary on Tuesday, who refused to allow the bodies to be moved for autopsy on Monday, and demanded that the property belonging to the accused be seized and handed over to the relatives of the deceased family.

Meanwhile, former ministers SR Mahesh of the Janata Dal (Secular) and C. Puttarangashetty of the Congress visited the mortuary and consoled the relatives of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the protesters also demanded that Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah visit the site as the village falls under the Varuna Assembly constituency represented by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

However, Mr. Mahesh and Mr. Puttarangashetty ensured justice to the family members of the deceased persons.

After the autopsy, the bodies were taken to the village by ambulance in the presence of the police.

(People with suicidal tendencies can call the Arogya Sahayavani Helpline on 104)

Published – 23 Jun 2026 19:21 IST