Prakash Gurayyanavar, 35, a security guard at the Deputy Commissioner's residence, was found dead in Belagavi on Wednesday. The night duty guard was one of the four constables posted there.
He had apparently shot himself using his service self-loading rifle. There was a gun shot wound near his neck. The incident must have occurred at night. The guard who came to relieve him found that he has died, a police officer said. The constable left behind his wife and two young children.
Commissioner of Police Lokesh Kumar said the constable was suffering from schizophrenia for nearly two years and was under treatment. “His family members have complained that he had stopped taking medicines two months ago. But his brother had been ensuring that he took the medicine from last month. The family members have also complained that he was spending too much time on his mobile phone and had taken away his smart phone. He was using a feature phone instead,’’ he said.
Mr. Kumar denied that the constable was under any pressure or stress. “The job of the security guard at the DC residence does not involve moving around or investigation or law and order maintenance. It is an easy job. He was not under stress.’’
Mr. Prakash, a member of the city armed reserve police force, hailed from Ambadagatti village near Kittur. He had been appointed in Bengaluru and was transferred to Belagavi a few years ago. He had been posted to the DC residence a week ago. This was his 13th year in service.
Members of the district police canine unit and forensic science laboratory rushed to the DC quarters in the morning. A case was registered at the APMC police station.
