A 40-year-old librarian in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district was found dead inside the “Aarivu Kendra” (Knowledge Centre) where she worked, in what police believe to be a case of suicide. Preliminary findings suggest that the woman, identified as Bhagyavathi, took her life after enduring months of financial stress caused by the non-payment of her salary for three consecutive months.
According to police, Bhagyavathi had been struggling to make ends meet while living in a rented home with her husband, a small-scale coconut trader, and their two children. The family had reportedly been under growing financial strain, struggling to manage daily expenses and school fees for the children. Her inability to meet household needs reportedly pushed her into severe distress, culminating in the tragic incident.
Police from Malakhed station said the suicide occurred inside the library premises located in Malakhed Gram Panchayat of Sedam taluk. Investigators recovered a note believed to have been written by Bhagyavathi before her death. Officials stated that the note is being verified for authenticity as part of the inquiry. Initially, her family was reluctant to register a formal complaint, but officers persuaded them to do so. Her husband later confirmed that she had been deeply upset over the delayed salary payments, which he believed contributed to her mental anguish.
Colleagues of the deceased librarian corroborated the claim of salary delays, revealing that many staff members had been awaiting payments due to administrative changes and technical issues in the Panchayat’s payment system. They explained that a new Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) had recently taken charge, leading to login and account verification problems that stalled the disbursal of wages. According to them, the salaries were expected to be released within a few days, but the delay proved fatal for Bhagyavathi, who succumbed to her worsening financial despair.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including examining the administrative lapses that led to salary delays. Officials said that statements from colleagues, the Panchayat office, and the family are being recorded to establish accountability. The case has also raised concerns over irregular salary disbursements in rural government institutions and their psychological impact on low-income employees who depend solely on monthly wages for survival.
As inquiries continue, the incident has sparked outrage among local residents and government staff, with calls for stricter oversight in salary management systems and improved support for employees facing financial hardship.
