In an alarming incident at the Karnataka High Court, a 51-year-old man from Mysuru, identified as S Chinnam Srinivas, attempted to take his own life by slitting his throat with a knife. The distressing event unfolded at around 1.15 pm in courtroom no. 1, where a division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice HB Prabhakra Shastri was presiding over proceedings. Srinivas, hailing from Vijayanagar in Mysuru, was swiftly rushed to Bowring Hospital for emergency medical intervention, where doctors operated on him and placed him under observation.
According to police sources, Srinivas entered the court hall and handed over some files to the court officer before addressing the bench. Despite attempts by the court officer to prevent him from interrupting the proceedings, Srinivas unexpectedly produced a knife and inflicted a severe wound on his throat. The bench, startled by the sudden turn of events, promptly instructed court staff to notify the police stationed outside the hall, who promptly transported him to the hospital. Due to his critical condition, police were unable to obtain a statement from Srinivas, but his wife, Uma Devi, revealed to authorities that she was completely taken aback by her husband’s drastic actions.
Devi disclosed that Srinivas was deeply distressed following the court’s decision to quash a case he had filed in Mysuru back in 2021 against a construction firm based in Hyderabad. The case, which accused the firm’s management of defrauding him of Rs 93 lakh, was dismissed in July 2023. According to the FIR filed in 2021, Srinivas had entered into an agreement with the builders, who promised him a share in an upcoming apartment complex in Hyderabad. However, Srinivas alleged that the firm failed to honor their agreement, leading him to file a complaint. Subsequently, the court ruled that the matter was a civil dispute and directed Srinivas to seek resolution through the lower courts.
This distressing incident underscores the emotional toll and desperation often associated with legal battles and the profound impact they can have on individuals involved.