Bengaluru: “Suicide literally means murdering oneself. There is no question of calling suicide an accident,” said High Court of Karnataka, setting aside the compensation awarded to family members of Basavaraj Hiremath, a conductor of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), who had ended life about 19-years-ago after he was caught issuing duplicate tickets to passengers.
On May 15, 2019, the Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation, Vijayapura had awarded a sum of Rs 3.8 lac with 12 percent interest to Hiremath’s family members. Close on the heels of this development, the KSRTC had appealed against the order, claiming that Hiremath, who was kept under suspension for pilferage and misappropriation, died due to reasons outside employment and hence he is not entitled to receive such compensation.
However, the High Court had disagreed with the Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation stating that the kin of Hiremath deserves sympathy, but certainly not at the cost of flouting rules.
“Accident is an unforeseen, untoward incident, a mishap that occurs without any design. Suicide literally means murdering oneself. Thus, a person decides to leave the planet and chooses his own measure or means to put an end to his life. Irrespective of instigation or otherwise, the victim develops a determined intention… So there is no question of calling suicide an accident. There is a vast difference between the two,” Justice NK Sudhindrarao observed in his order while allowing KSRTC’s appeal.
