• One dies, three others admitted to hospitals
• Former Minister S.R. Mahesh blames KR Nagar cops for failing to act against the accused, a relative of CM

Hanur: Following the alleged blackmail by a youth to leak the video of a minor girl, a family of four from KR Nagar in Mysuru district consumed poison at Talabetta near Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills in Chamarajanagar district on Saturday. While one has succumbed to the suicide attempt, the three others including the minor are admitted to a hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Mahadeva Nayaka (65) of Chandagala, KR Nagar taluk, while his wife Gowramma, aged 60, daughter Leelavathi, 45 and 17-year-old granddaughter are undergoing treatment at Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital in Hanur taluk.

The family had been to Mahadeshwara temple atop MM Hills on Friday and was travelling back home on Saturday, when they alighted from the bus at Talabetta. They walked a few distance towards the hill, before entering into a suicide pact by consuming poison.

The locals, who came across them, informed the Police. However, Mahadeva Nayaka had succumbed to the suicide attempt, by the time Police reached the spot.

It is alleged that, the family of Nayaka was dejected over a blackmail attempt by a youth named Lokesh of Cheeranahalli in KR Nagar. Lokesh, who was in love with Nayaka’s granddaughter, had shot a video with the girl, only to blackmail her, it is alleged further.  Following this, Nayaka’s family had approached KR Nagar Police Station, but the Police refused to receive the complaint, it is alleged.

Meanwhile, former KR Nagar MLA S.R. Mahesh has alleged that the Police refrained from initiating any action against the accused as he is a relative of the Chief Minister.

Chamarajanagar Superintendent of Police (SP) Padmini Sahoo has also confirmed about the allegations of blackmail and Police inaction in the case, even after the victims approached KR Nagar Police twice.

“The matter has been brought to the notice of the counterparts in Mysuru District Police. While a case related to suicide attempt has been filed at MM Hills Police Station,” added SP Sahoo.