Rajiv Pikale suicide case: Two arrested for circulating viral video
Karwar: Police have arrested two persons in connection with the suicide of Rajiv Pikale, a member of a well-known family associated with social service and the medical profession in Uttara Kannada district.
Investigators say Pikale ended his life after a video allegedly defaming him was circulated widely on social media, triggering severe mental distress. Rajiv Pikale, a senior member of the Pikale family, was found dead at his residence in Hattikeri village of Ankola taluk.
According to police, he died by shooting himself with a double-barrel gun. The Pikale family has been serving the medical field in Karwar for over two generations and enjoys a strong social reputation in the region.
Police stated that a video showing Pikale allegedly administering an expired medicine to a patient had gone viral on social media a few days before his death. Though Pikale was financially stable and living alone, the sudden spread of the video and the accompanying criticism reportedly left him deeply shaken.
Following an investigation, Ankola police arrested Subhash and Harishchandra, who are accused of making the video viral on social media platforms. “Preliminary inquiry suggests that the accused shared and amplified the video without verifying facts, which caused serious damage to the victim’s reputation,” a senior police officer said.
Sources said that after the video surfaced online, Pikale was under immense mental pressure. He reportedly expressed remorse, stating that giving an expired medicine was an unintentional mistake, and even apologised publicly. However, despite his clarification, the video continued to circulate widely, worsening his emotional condition.
Police revealed that Pikale left behind a death note in which he stated that he himself was responsible for taking the extreme step. “The death note indicates that he was under severe psychological stress due to the social media backlash,” the officer added.
The case has once again highlighted concerns over irresponsible use of social media and the devastating impact online shaming can have on individuals. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law and said further investigation is underway to determine whether others were involved in spreading the video.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified content online and warned that legal action will be taken against those who misuse social media to defame individuals. “This is a tragic reminder that digital actions can have real-life consequences,” police said.
