A 51-year-old government school teacher, who was also serving as a Booth Level Officer (BLO), died by suicide at a government higher primary school in Shikaripur taluk of Karnataka&rsquo;s Shivamogga district, police said on Wednesday. The incident has triggered allegations from the family that excessive work pressure led to his death.
According to police, the incident occurred on Tuesday during the school recess. The teacher reportedly asked students to step out of the classroom, stating that he needed time to complete official records. He then shut the classroom door and windows. When other teachers noticed students sitting outside on the veranda, they attempted to open the classroom but were unable to do so.
After forcibly opening a window from the other side, the teachers found the man hanging inside the classroom. Villagers and staff later broke open the door and tried to revive him by administering first aid, but he could not be saved.
School staff informed police that the teacher had arrived early in the village that morning after completing voter verification duties as part of his BLO responsibilities. The exact cause behind the suicide remains unclear.
Education department officials stated that no additional pressure was placed on the teacher from their side and that he had been performing his duties regularly. However, police said preliminary findings suggest that he was under stress related to his work as a Booth Level Officer and had shared his concerns with his wife earlier that day.
A case of unnatural death has been registered at the Shikaripur Rural Police Station under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Further investigation is underway.

Family alleges work pressure as police probe death at Shikaripur school

Teacher, BLO Dies by Suicide at Shivamogga School

Family alleges work pressure as police probe death at Shikaripur school

January 15, 2026 | 10:27 IST