Revenue employees intensify agitation after VAO Bhuvana's death, alleging excessive SIR duty pressure and harassment by senior officials
A massive protest by Revenue Department employees continued through the night outside the Tumakuru District Collector's office after Village Administrative Officer (VAO) Bhuvana died in a road accident while reportedly travelling to work under intense SIR duty pressure. Protesters have accused senior officials of subjecting her to relentless work schedules and mental harassment, demanding accountability, disciplinary action against those responsible, and systemic reforms in duty allocation.
Tumakuru: The death of Village Administrative Officer (VAO) Bhuvana in a tragic road accident while reportedly travelling for official duty has triggered an unprecedented all-night protest by Revenue Department employees outside the Tumakuru District Collector's office. The demonstrators have alleged that relentless work pressure, mental harassment by senior officials, and mandatory Special Intensive Revision (SIR) election-related duties directly contributed to the young officer's death.
As mediation efforts by the district administration failed late Saturday night, employees vowed to continue their agitation until action is initiated against the officials they hold responsible for the incident.
Tumakuru SIR Duty Protest Intensifies After VAO Bhuvana's Death
The protest gathered momentum after hundreds of Revenue Department employees assembled outside the District Collector's office, demanding justice for Bhuvana and accountability from senior administrative officials.
The employees have accused the district administration of creating an unhealthy work environment by assigning prolonged duty hours under the ongoing SIR exercise, allegedly forcing officers to work under extreme physical and mental stress.
"The protest will continue until strict action is taken against the officials responsible for Bhuvana's death," representatives of the Revenue Employees' Association asserted during the overnight demonstration.
The agitation continued throughout the night after negotiations between the district administration and employee representatives failed to produce any breakthrough.
Late-Night Talks With District Collector End Without Resolution
In an attempt to resolve the escalating situation, the Tumakuru District Collector personally visited the protest site at around 11.15 pm and held discussions with employee representatives for nearly one and a half hours.
Despite prolonged negotiations, both sides failed to reach a consensus. Revenue Employees' Association leaders maintained that they would not withdraw the protest until concrete disciplinary action is announced against the officials allegedly responsible for subjecting Bhuvana to excessive workload and harassment.
With employees refusing to disperse, the overnight sit-in continued into Sunday morning, with expectations that the protest would intensify further as more staff members joined the demonstration.
Allegations of Excessive SIR Duty Pressure and Workplace Harassment
Revenue staff working at the Tumakuru Nadakacheri have levelled serious allegations against senior officers, claiming that Bhuvana had been subjected to continuous mental stress due to excessive official responsibilities.
According to colleagues, she was reportedly required to work from 6.00 am until nearly 10.00 pm for several consecutive days as part of SIR-related assignments.
Employees further alleged that on the day of the accident, Bhuvana had been instructed to report for duty by 6.30 am, compelling her to travel during the early morning rush.
While riding her scooter near Gulur, she reportedly met with a fatal road accident and died on the spot.
"The unbearable work pressure imposed by senior officials became the real reason behind this tragedy," protesting employees alleged during the demonstration.
The employees have demanded action against officials, including the District Collector (DC), Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Assistant Commissioner (AC), and Tahsildar, whom they accuse of enforcing unrealistic work schedules. Several protesters have also demanded the transfer of the District Magistrate.
Revenue Employees Demand Accountability in SIR Duty Death Case
The protestors have urged the Karnataka government to conduct an impartial inquiry into the circumstances leading to Bhuvana's death.
Among their primary demands are:
- Registration of responsibility against officials accused of harassment.
- A comprehensive inquiry into working conditions during SIR duties.
- Protection for field-level revenue officers from excessive workload.
- Administrative reforms to prevent similar incidents in future.
- Compensation and justice for the deceased officer's family.
Employee unions have maintained that unless these demands are addressed, the agitation will continue across the district.
Family Prepares Final Rites Amid Deep Grief
Meanwhile, grief has engulfed Bhuvana's native village of Varadanayakanahalli in Nelamangala taluk of Bengaluru Rural district.
Family members, relatives, friends and villagers gathered at her residence as preparations began for her final rites.
According to family members, Bhuvana used to commute daily from her home to Tumakuru for official duty and had been under severe stress because of increasing SIR responsibilities.
Her uncle, Ramesh, stated that she frequently spoke about the mounting workload and pressure associated with the assignment.
The loss of the young officer has devastated her parents, Ramesh and Saroja, as relatives described Bhuvana as the primary support for the family.
Her last rites are scheduled to be conducted at around 10.30 am in the family's agricultural land at Varadanayakanahalli following traditional Vokkaliga customs.
Growing Debate Over Working Conditions During SIR Duty in Tumakuru
The incident has reignited debate over working conditions faced by field-level government employees during election-related assignments and administrative surveys.
Employee organisations argue that increasing workloads, extended working hours and continuous monitoring have created immense psychological pressure on grassroots officials.
The ongoing protest is expected to draw wider attention across Karnataka as employee unions seek policy-level reforms to ensure safer working conditions and improved employee welfare during future government assignments.
"Justice for Bhuvana is not just about one officer. It is about protecting every government employee from excessive work pressure and administrative harassment," protesting employees said.
