Belakavadi Gopalachar Narayana Iyengar (B.G.N. Iyengar) of Jayalakshmipuram, Mysuru, passed away at his daughter’s residence in Livermore, California, on Monday (Feb.11). He was 87. The last rites will be performed at California today.

He leaves behind a daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and a host of relatives and friends. His wife Vedavalli had predeceased him.

B.G.N. Iyengar was born on March 9, 1931 in Belakavadi, Karnataka, to B.K. Gopalachar and Sundaramma. He graduated from Mysore University and in 1956, joined the Customs Department in Bombay and later the Zonal Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. He was awarded the President’s Medal twice for his outstanding contribution in effecting some of the largest seizures — one “Presidential Award of Appreciation Certificate for Exceptionally Meritorious Service at the Risk of Life” and the second one, an “Appreciation Certificate for Specially Distinguished Record of Service.”

He was also commended by the Ministry of Finance multiple times during his tenure. After a long meritorious career spanning 33 years, he retired as Assistant Director, Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and was settled in Mysuru, before moving to his daughter’s residence in California.