BENGALURU: A 45-year-old software professional from Whitefield died by suicide on Wednesday, leaving behind a detailed note alleging harassment and extortion by a local family and officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), formerly BBMP.
Murali Govindaraju, a resident of Brookbong Layout and father of two minor daughters, was found dead in his under-construction home at Nallurahalli. Murali, who worked at a private tech firm in ITPL, had reportedly been facing ongoing disputes related to the property.
Police have arrested Shashi Nambiar (64) and his wife Usha (57) on charges of abetment to suicide and extortion; their son Varun is currently absconding. The couple has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
A 10-page death note recovered from the site accuses the Nambairs, along with certain GBA officials, of persistently harassing Murali over alleged deviations from the approved building plan. The note claims the family, in collusion with officials, repeatedly demanded ₹20 lakh to “settle” the issue.
Murali’s mother, Lakshmi Govindaraju (61), lodged a complaint with Whitefield police, stating that the Nambairs had threatened and pressured her son for refusing to pay the demanded amount. She alleged that the couple instigated officials to target Murali and had given him a deadline of Wednesday to arrange the money.
According to the complaint, Murali left home around 6am, distressed over the alleged threats, and ended his life at the construction site. Based on the complaint and the death note, police booked the accused under Sections 108 (abetment to suicide) and 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police said Murali had purchased the 40×60 sqft plot from a relative of the Nambairs in 2018, after which disputes between them began. Officers said the couple frequently complained to BBMP/GBA officials over various issues, forcing Murali to make repeated rounds of government offices, police stations, and courts. Investigators believe the alleged demand for ₹20 lakh was part of a long-running pattern of harassment.
A senior officer added that several locals have made similar allegations against the Nambairs, claiming they filed repeated complaints against residents under the guise of activism. Police urged anyone who has faced harassment to come forward and lodge a complaint.
