Hubballi-based contractor found dead in Huvinahadagali lodge

A 40-year-old civil contractor and hotelier from Hubballi, Anand Umesh Hegde, was found dead in his room at Dakshayini Lodge in Huvinahadagali town of Vijayanagara district on Sunday night.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

A resident of Bhavani Nagar, Hubballi, Hegde was in Huvinahadagali to oversee work on the taluk sports complex, a development and renovation project for which he had secured the contract.

He had arrived in the town on Sunday morning and checked into the lodge.

According to the police, the incident came to light on Monday morning when Hegde’s family members, who were unable to reach him over phone, contacted the lodge staff.

After repeated knocks on his door went unanswered, the staff alerted the police. Upon arrival, the police opened the door and found Hegde dead, hanging from a window grille using a piece of cloth.

Hegde and his friends Sudhindra and Gaurish had established a partnership firm which had undertaken the Huvinahadagali sports complex project under a State government tender.

The police said that the exact reason for the suicide is yet to be ascertained.

A case has been registered at the Huvinahadagali Police Station based on a complaint filed by Hegde’s cousin, Parameshwar Hegde.

Investigation is under way, said a senior police official.

(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies can call Arogya Sahayavani on Ph: 104 for help.)