Chamarajanagar: Woman found dead, father alleges dowry harassment
Chamarajanagar: A woman was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Kotepode village near Martalli in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district. The woman’s father has filed a complaint alleging that she died by suicide following alleged dowry harassment.
The deceased has been identified as Priya, wife of Shivakumar.
According to the complaint filed by her father at the Ramapura police station, Shivakumar had taken a loan from a finance company and was allegedly pressuring Priya to bring money from her parental home to repay the instalments. The father stated that despite repeated advice from relatives over the past month, the harassment allegedly continued. He said that in December 2025, he had given Rs 50,000 in cash.
It is also alleged that on the afternoon of February 14, 2026, when her children met Priya, she told them that she was being harassed for additional dowry. Later in the evening, she reportedly informed her father over the phone about the same issue.
Neighbours said that around 10 pm, when Shivakumar stepped out of the house, Priya was found hanging from the ceiling fan in a room. The family later brought the body down.
“My daughter ended her life due to continuous dowry harassment. Shivakumar and his mother Shanti are responsible for her death,” the deceased father alleged in his complaint.
A case has been registered at the Ramapura police station. Additional Superintendent of Police Shashidhar visited the spot and gathered information. Further investigation is under way.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
