Six booked after civil supplies employee dies by suicide

Bhadrachalam: A 57-year-old Civil Supplies Department employee, Ananthula Lakshminarayana, who was working as a manager at an HP LPG godown under the Palwancha unit, allegedly died by suicide at a private lodge near the RTC bus stand in Bhadrachalam on Saturday.

Bhadrachalam police registered a case against six persons in connection with his death following a complaint lodged by his daughter, Ananthula Madhulika. The accused include a woman employee, identified as Rajitha, a man named Venkanna and four journalists identified as Rajesh, Nagachandu, Khaleem and Ravi.

According to the complaint, the six persons had allegedly harassed Lakshminarayana and demanded Rs 1 crore from him to withdraw a complaint. His daughter alleged that he was subjected to mental distress after he expressed his inability to pay the amount. These allegations are yet to be established through investigation.

The incident came to light after Lakshminarayana reportedly posted a note described as a suicide note in his office WhatsApp group before taking the extreme step. Some employees noticed the message, alerted the Bhadrachalam police and attempted to locate him.

Police reached the lodge and shifted him to the Bhadrachalam Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

An internal inquiry into the allegations was reportedly under way.

In a note circulated on social media before his death, Lakshminarayana reportedly referred to workplace-related disputes and alleged harassment by the woman employee, her husband and others. He also stated that he had written to the district-level authorities in 2025 seeking the installation of CCTV cameras at the Palwancha gas office, claiming that the absence of surveillance cameras was making it difficult to discharge his duties.

He further alleged that the woman employee had questioned him over the collection of additional amounts from consumers and that he had been subjected to verbal abuse and threats. He also referred to the sexual harassment complaint filed against him and the subsequent inquiry. Police reportedly recovered the note as part of the investigation. The allegations contained in it have not been independently verified.

Lakshminarayana is survived by his wife and two daughters, one of whom is married.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PV Satyanarayana

PV Satyanarayana[email protected]

P.V.Satyanarayana is a journalist with an experience of 20years. PV Satyanarayans has completed his post-graduation in MSc (Mathematics) from Allahabad University. Interested in writing *Feature Stories and political stories Hobbies: Reading Newspapers and listening to songs.

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