Kasaragod District Collector orders probe into death of senior clerk
The Kasaragod District Collector has ordered an inquiry into the death of a senior clerk who died by suicide after reporting feelings of isolation and distress. The investigation will run parallel to a police probe to determine if any workplace factors contributed to her death.
Why it matters
The case highlights the importance of mental health support and workplace environment oversight within government administrative offices.
District Collector Arjun Pandian has directed the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) to conduct an inquiry into the sudden death of senior clerk A. Ashalatha, who worked at the Kasaragod Collectorate and submit a report. The departmental inquiry will be conducted in addition to the investigation by the Vidyanagar police.
Ashalatha, in a statement recorded by the Vidyanagar police on August 7 at a hospital in Chengala in the presence of relatives, had reportedly said that she had consumed poison around 10 a.m. on August 7. She said she had felt isolated at home and office and had been mentally distressed for several days as a result.
According to her statement to the police, Ashalatha said she had no complaint against anyone. She died at a private hospital in Kozhikode around noon on August 9.
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