Karnataka hotel owner dies by suicide amid debt and LPG shortage

A small hotel owner in Karnataka’s Belagavi allegedly died by suicide, with initial accounts pointing to mounting financial stress and disruption in LPG supply as key factors. The deceased, identified as Rama Halluri, was found hanging inside his eatery, Hanuman Hotel, located near the old bus stand. The incident has raised concerns over the impact of supply disruptions on small businesses already struggling with debt.

According to his son, the hotel had remained shut for several days due to the unavailability of LPG cylinders, severely affecting daily operations. He stated that his father had been under significant stress in recent weeks, as the lack of fuel made it impossible to continue running the establishment. In an attempt to keep the business afloat, Halluri had even considered switching to firewood as an alternative.

Family members indicated that apart from the LPG crisis, financial difficulties had also been weighing heavily on him. While it remains unclear whether there was any pressure from money lenders, his son acknowledged that debt-related concerns were present. However, he emphasised that the immediate trigger appeared to be the prolonged disruption in gas supply.

Police have initiated an investigation into the incident and are verifying all aspects, including financial records and supply issues. Officials noted that the small restaurant relied entirely on LPG cylinders, typically lasting about a week, and any interruption could significantly impact operations. Authorities are examining whether multiple factors combined to push the victim into distress.

Meanwhile, in response to the wider crisis, the state government has announced an increase in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders. Officials stated that an additional 1,000 cylinders would be added to the existing allocation, taking the total supply higher to support hotel owners and small businesses affected by shortages. The disruption has been linked to broader global supply challenges impacting LPG availability.