Gadag (Karnataka), Sep 26 A Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited Assistant Executive Engineer, posted in Gadag, has been missing from his home for more than 10 days after allegedly citing harassment by contractors over pending payments due to the non-release of government funds, police said on Saturday.
Before disappearing, Farveez Dharwad left behind a letter saying he was under severe stress and would end his life as he was unable to cope with the situation, they said.
He reportedly left his home on September 13 on the pretext of some official work and has remained untraceable since then, following which his family approached the police.
According to police, Dharwad alleged in the letter that contractors were repeatedly visiting his home, pressuring and harassing him over pending payments and creating a scene over delays in the release of government funds.
He also alleged that he was receiving frequent phone calls and facing continued pressure over the delayed payments.
In the letter, Dharwad said the situation had seriously affected his mental well-being and that he was unable to cope with the pressure. He said he was leaving home and would end his life if the funds were not released, a senior police officer said.
He appealed to the contractors not to harass his family members over the issue and requested that the funds be released soon.
His family later approached the police, following which a missing person case was registered at Betageri police station, the officer said.
The officer said teams had been formed to trace Dharwad, with one team currently searching outside Karnataka.
“We have received some leads and are hopeful of finding him soon,” the officer added.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy urged that the matter should be investigated immediately and the official should be saved without any danger to his life.
“Because of the fault of the government and some other senior officials, innocents should not face the brunt,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka, hit out at D K Shivakumar-led Congress government over the incident.
“The recent Finance Department letter is similar to what is written by the KRIDL Engineer letter — both have said that their departments don’t have money and the government is bankrupt,” he said.
According to the Finance department’s assessment, Karnataka’s fiscal deficit for 2026-27 is projected at 2.95 per cent, against the 3 per cent limit permitted under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management framework.
The Finance Department also pointed to the state’s existing commitments, noting that the balance cost of ongoing works exceeded Rs 2 lakh crore.
Pending bills from four major departments — Public Works Department, Water Resources, Minor Irrigation and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj alone amounted to Rs 36,136 crore, it said.
(PTI News)
