Free Bus Controversy: Karnataka Trader Cites Free Bus Scheme and Debt Stress Before Family Tragedy

Free Bus Controversy: A tragic incident in Karnataka’s Mandya district has sparked widespread discussion after a garment trader reportedly blamed the state’s Shakti free bus travel scheme for contributing to the collapse of his business. The businessman allegedly killed his wife and son before taking his own life, leaving behind a note describing the financial hardships he had been facing.

Police identified the deceased as Prabhakar, a local garment merchant who had been struggling with severe economic difficulties. Investigators said a note recovered from the scene outlined his growing debt burden, pressure from lenders, and frustration over the decline in sales at his clothing business.

According to the contents of the note, Prabhakar believed that the introduction of free bus travel for women under the Shakti scheme had changed consumer shopping habits. He reportedly claimed that many women were traveling to larger cities to purchase goods instead of shopping from local stores, affecting small traders like him.

Authorities said the incident unfolded during the early hours of the day. Prabhakar allegedly killed his wife Jyothi and son Santosh at their residence before going to his shop, where he later died by suicide. The shocking deaths have left relatives and residents in deep grief.

The tragedy became known when family members discovered the bodies and informed police. Officers reached the location, secured the area, and launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The note also referred to financial pressure from private lenders. Prabhakar reportedly wrote that repeated demands for repayment and increasing liabilities had pushed him into a state of despair. Investigators are examining whether harassment related to unpaid loans played a role in the events leading up to the tragedy.

The case has reignited discussions about the challenges faced by small business owners in changing economic conditions. While the claims made in the note reflect the trader’s personal views, authorities have not established any direct link between government welfare schemes and the incident.

Police have registered a case and are investigating all aspects of the tragedy, including the financial background of the family, loan records, and the contents of the suicide note. Further details are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.