Young priest ends life after love proposal rejected in Ankola

Karwar: Even as the coastal districts of Uttara Kannada are yet to recover from the shock of the brutal murder–suicide case in Yallapura, another tragic incident linked to a failed relationship has come to light from Ankola taluk. A 24-year-old youth allegedly died by suicide after the woman he loved refused to marry him, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at Aslagadde village in Ankola taluk. The deceased has been identified as Pavan Bhat (24), who was working as a priest and earning his livelihood by performing religious rituals in and around the region.

According to preliminary information, Pavan Bhat was in a love relationship with a young woman from the same village for some time. He reportedly wanted to formalise the relationship through marriage and had been repeatedly urging the woman and her family to agree to the proposal. However, the woman is said to have clearly declined the marriage proposal for personal reasons.

Police sources said the repeated rejection deeply affected the young man. Distressed and emotionally upset over the refusal, Pavan Bhat allegedly took the extreme step of ending his life by hanging himself at his residence.

Family members noticed the incident and alerted local residents, following which Ankola police were informed. A police team rushed to the spot, conducted a preliminary inspection and shifted the body for post-mortem examination.

Ankola police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating the circumstances leading to the suicide. Statements from family members and others close to the deceased are being recorded to ascertain whether there was any external pressure or other contributing factors.

The incident comes close on the heels of a shocking case in Yallapura, where a man named Rafiq allegedly murdered a divorced woman, Ranjitha, by slitting her throat after she refused to marry him, before ending his own life. That case had sparked widespread outrage and renewed debate on emotional violence, obsession, and the consequences of rejection in relationships.

Locals in Aslagadde village expressed shock over Pavan Bhat’s death, describing him as a soft-spoken individual who was well known in the area for performing religious duties. “No one expected him to take such a step. He seemed disturbed in recent days, but we never imagined the situation was this serious,” a villager said.

Police officials have appealed to the public, especially youngsters, to seek emotional support and counselling during times of distress instead of resorting to extreme measures. They stressed that rejection in relationships should not be seen as an end to life and urged families to be attentive to signs of emotional turmoil among youth.

The tragic incident once again highlights the growing need for mental health awareness, emotional counselling, and social support mechanisms, particularly among young people facing personal setbacks.