Village revenue officer commits suicide

Kovelakuntla (Kurnool): Unable to bear political pressure, a village revenue officer (VRO) at Bijinavemula village of Kovelakuntla mandal, committed suicide after consuming pesticide at Kovelakuntla tahsildar’s office here on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Hazi Vali.

According to sources, Hazi Vali was reportedly facing pressure from political leaders and higher-ups that he should issue pattadar passbooks on the wrong entries made by the earlier VRO. Even after expressing his helplessness, the political leaders were mounting pressure on him. 

The villagers of Bijinavemula reportedly approached a ruling party leader requesting for issuing pattadar passbooks. The ruling party leader after hearing villagers’ requests reportedly took the VRO to task.

Unable to bear the pressure from leaders and from departmental heads, Hazi Vali informed about his situation to his family members and applied for transfer with Kovelakuntla MRO. But his transfer request was not considered. Upset with the situation, Hazi Vali consumed pesticide at Kovelakuntla tahsildar’s office premises and fell unconscious.

The fellow VROs on noticing Hazi Vali in an unconsciousness state, rushed him to Kovelakuntla general hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment. On learning about the incident, Nandyal revenue division officer Shyam Sundar Reddy and Kovelaknuntla MRO Prem Sagar rushed to the hospital and enquired about the incident with the VROs.

Former MLA and YSRCP leader Katasani Rami Reddy also enquired about the incident and consoled the deceased family members. The family members staged a dharna on the road alleging that pressures from local leaders claimed the life of Hazi Vali and demanded justice.

Nandyal RDO Shyam Sunder Reddy, Kovelakuntla MRO Prem Sagar and Circle Inspector Srinivasa Reddy spoke to deceased family members and assured justice will be done. With the assurance, the family members called off their dharna and the body was sent for autopsy.