Govt driver attempts suicide, dharna staged

BANGALORE: Government car drivers staged a protest in front of Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, demanding action against an IAS officer for allegedly harassing one of them who attempted suicide.
A R Anand Kumar, 26, a driver with survey, settlement and land records department commissioner Rajeev Chawla, consumed metacid on Wednesday night. A native of Gollarahatti near Byadarahalli, he returned home and consumed poison around 11.30 am after writing a letter to the governor.In the letter, Kumar stated harassment by Chawla as the reason for the extreme step. His family immediately took him to a hospital in Gollarahatti, and later to one in Kengeri, where he is recuperating.
As the news spread, agitated drivers resorted to a flash protest. They parked cars on the Vidhana Soudha premises and staged a dharna, shouting slogans against the officer and demanding action. They have vowed to intensify the stir if action is not initiated.
Kumar's mother Lakkamma has written to the governor and the police commissioner, accusing Chawla of abusing and harassing her son. "We kept quiet so far because he was the sole breadwinner," she said.
Ministers brought the incident to the chief minister's notice at the cabinet meeting. "Many ministers complained to the CM by saying this was not the first time Chawla is doing so. The CM has taken serious note of it," said law minister S Suresh Kumar.
ANAND'S LETTER TO GUV
As per the letter, Anand was depressed after Rajeev Chawla allegedly accused him of stealing money. On January 23, Chawla's son asked Anand to return a pair of shoes to a store on Brigade Road and get the money back. Anand returned the shoes, but kept the money without counting. The following day, Sunday, he went to Dharmasthala and returned on Monday. He did not go to work on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he gave the money (Rs 2,100) to another driver, asking him to hand it over to Chawla. The latter then called Anand a thief because he found Rs 1,120 short. He threatened to transfer Anand to Gulbarga or Raichur.
RAJIV CHAWLA REACTION
He was not my driver. He was working with the department for the past three months. Probably, I engaged him twice during this period. He is a decent man and very articulate. But, he was always in an agitated mood. I am told that he is emotionally weak and has serious domestic problems. It was just a small incident, where I asked him to check with the shop. But, he acted in such a haste. There must be something more than that meets the eye.