Student dies by suicide; police harassment alleged

Dharwad: A college student allegedly died by suicide following alleged police harassment during a recent anti-drug drive in the city.The deceased has been identified as Aditya Myageri, a BSc student of Kittel College and a native of Belur village in Badami taluk of Bagalkot district. According to his family, Aditya was subjected to harassment despite testing negative for ganja consumption, which allegedly pushed him to take the extreme step.Aditya had been staying in a rented accommodation in Girinagar along with his friends. On April 25, he was among 10 students detained by Vidyagiri police during an anti-ganja consumption drive. He was later released after medical tests reportedly confirmed that he had not consumed ganja.However, it is alleged that during the process, a lawyer intervened and promised to settle the matter, collecting money from the students. There are also allegations that some police personnel pressured the students to pay money, threatening them with legal action if they failed to comply.On Monday night, Aditya reportedly called his mother, Kavita Myageri, requesting Rs 2,000. She was unable to arrange the amount immediately. Later that night, she learned that her son had died by suicide. Kavita alleged that Aditya was distressed by repeated police calls demanding money and threats of being booked in a ganja-related case.Aditya is said to have hanged himself in his rented room late on Monday night. Coming from a poor background, he had been raised by his mother.While police action against drug consumption and trafficking continues in Dharwad, allegations of harassment and extortion in the name of such drives have raised serious concerns.