Regional commissioner starts probe into Nanjangud doctor’s suicide

Mysuru: Although it has been five days since the tragic suicide of Nanjangud taluk health officer Dr SR Nagendra, the furore over the incident refuses to die down. Taking cognisance of the persisting outrage over his death, the state government on Monday tasked Mysuru regional commissioner GC Prakash to head an investigation into Dr Nagendra’sdeath.
Confirming the receipt of the government order to TOI, Prakash added, “I received an order to initiate a probe at 2pm on Monday. I have been asked to file a report within a week, and I will try to meet the stipulated deadline. I have already started the inquiry.”
On August 20, Dr Nagendra, 42, ended his life at his home in Alanahalli, on the outskirts of Mysuru. Following his death, Mysuru zilla panchayat chief executive officer Prashanth Kumar Mishra was transferred but he is yet to be assigned a new role. In the wake of Nagendra’s death, doctors, and other staff in the department of health launched a four-day protest demanding Mishra’s transfer. The staff resumed duty only on Monday. The protesting healthcare personnel alleged that the doctor had been forced to take the extreme step owing to pressure from the former ZP CEO.
In the meanwhile, collection of swab samples for Covid-19 tests, and examination with rapid antigen test kits resumed on Monday in Mysuru, Chamarajanmagar and Kodagu districts as the protesting personnel returned to work, confirmed Mysuru district health officer Dr R Venkatesh.
Cops continue probe
Notwithstanding the government’s directions to regional commissioner Prakash, Mysuru police continued their probe into Nagendra’s death. Although deputy commissioner of police (law and order, Mysuru N Prakash Gowda refused to divulge any specific details about the investigation, sources in the police department said that the deceased doctor’s smartphone had been sent for a forensic examination.
ZP staff protest CEO’s transfer
On Monday, it was the turn of the ZP staff and the panchayat development officers to protest, seeking the revocation of the government’s order transferring Prashant Kumar Mishra. The protesting staff gathered in front of the Mysuru regional commissioner’s office, to voice their disgruntlement with the ZP CEO’s treatment.
Mysuru district PDO association president MD Mayappa, batting for Mishra’s reinstatement, said, “Under Mishra, the district performed very well in the implementation of various state and central government schemes. He is a very efficient officer. He has not committed any mistake and the government must recall the transfer order.”
New THO appointed
Dr E Eshwar, from Mugur primary health center, has been appointed the new taluk health officer (THO) of Nanjangud. “He is likely to report to duty on Tuesday,” said sources in the district health department.The post has been vacant following the death of incumbent THO SR Nagendra who committed suicide.