Power firm MD falls to death
TNN, Feb 24, 2010,BANGALORE/MYSORE: Ramesh, 59, managing director of Chamun-deshwari Electricity Supplies Company (CHESC), fell to his death on Tuesday from the terrace of his house at Kumaraswamy Layout. Neighbours said Ramesh went to the terrace at 10.30 am.

He hit a power line in front of the house before crashing onto the road head first. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Raemsh’s son Badari was at home when the incident happened. Police are yet to determine whether it was a suicide or an accident.

Ramesh, who was posted in Mysore, would often visit his house at Kumaraswamy Layout, which is 100 metres away from the local police station. His son and wife are doctors.

DCP (south) Krishna Bhat said: “Although some people told us it was suicide, we believe it could be an accidental fall. He didn’t seem to have any problem prima facie.”

According to neighbours, however, an accidental fall from that terrace seems unlikely. Ramesh’s driver said his boss appeared tense for the last few days. Ramesh had eight more months of service left.

MYSTERY DEEPENS
Several stories are doing the rounds in CHESC official circles. They claim to have circumstantial evidence to support the theory that Ramesh was a victim of blackmail by his colleagues.

According to sources, his alleged suicide is related to an inquiry ordered against a senior CHESC official, who has political links and support in the government. An engineer who worked with Ramesh said power contractors in Mysore alleged that a senior official was involved in frauds and scandals in the city.

Based on the allegations, Ramesh ordered an inquiry against the official concerned. The latter was transferred to Bangalore, where he declined to join office. Then he was transferred to the chief engineer’s office, and there too, he refused to work. Sources said the ‘tainted’ officer used his clout and returned to his original post.

Later, a senior engineer who probed the allegations found the official guilty of various charges and recommended his suspension, and also suggested further inquiry. On the basis of this report, Ramesh reportedly suspended the officer on Monday.

CHESC sources alleged that the suspended officer threatened that he would ‘expose’ Ramesh’s personal life.
“We don’t know much about Ramesh’s personal life. He was an efficient officer, who was also sensitive to people’s problems,” a senior engineer said.

TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE?
What gives credence to the theory of the suspended officer’s ‘arrogant behaviour’ is the story of S E Narasimhamurthy, who inquired into the former’s dealings. Narasimhamurthy died of heart attack a week ago.
At a press conference on Monday, president of the Mysore chapter of Karnataka State Licensed Electric Contractors Association claimed that Narasimhamurthy received threat calls from the suspended official.
According to sources, Ramesh, who wanted a transfer to Bangalore, had sought voluntary retirement. On Monday, he was replaced by Govindappa as CHESC managing director.