Belagavi doctor with lung cancer dies by suicide; sent farewell messages to KLE chief
Synopsis
Dr Dinesh Bhatkal, a 40-year veteran of the KLE Institute in Belagavi, allegedly shot himself dead on 22 May after reportedly being unable to bear the pain of a lung cancer diagnosis. He sent farewell WhatsApp messages to the KLE chief and his treating doctor before the act — the third reported case of a doctor dying by suicide in Karnataka in recent months.
Key Takeaways
Dr Dinesh Bhatkal , a senior administrator at the KLE Institute, Belagavi , allegedly died by suicide on 22 May 2025 .
He had been diagnosed with lung cancer four months before his death and was undergoing treatment at KLE hospital.
He served the KLE Institute for 40 years and originally hailed from Ankola, Karwar district .
Before the incident, he sent WhatsApp farewell messages to KLE honorary executive president Prabhakar Kore and his treating physician Dr Kerur .
This is reportedly the third such case of a doctor dying by suicide in Karnataka in recent months, following deaths in April 2025 and January 2026 .
Police have recovered the messages and are investigating the matter.
A senior doctor at the KLE Institute in Belagavi, Karnataka, allegedly died by suicide at his residence on Friday, 22 May, reportedly unable to bear the suffering caused by a lung cancer diagnosis he received four months ago. The deceased has been identified as Dr Dinesh Bhatkal, a veteran administrator who had served the KLE Institute for 40 years.
What Happened
According to police, Dr Bhatkal went to the gallery area of his residence in the morning and allegedly shot himself in the head. He had been undergoing treatment for lung cancer at the KLE hospital, where he also served as an administrator. Originally from Ankola town in Karwar district, he had recently relocated to Belagavi.
Farewell Messages Sent Before the Incident
Before the incident, Dr Bhatkal reportedly sent WhatsApp messages to KLE honorary executive president Prabhakar Kore and to Dr Kerur, the physician treating him. In his message to Kore, he reportedly wrote: 'You have helped me all these years. However, I am suffering from severe pain and have taken this difficult decision under these circumstances. This is my personal decision. Kindly help my family and also inform the City Police Commissioner.'
Police have recovered the messages and are investigating the matter. The force suspects that the severity of his illness drove him to take the extreme step.
A Pattern of Doctor Suicides in Karnataka
This is at least the third reported case of a doctor dying by suicide in Karnataka in recent months. On 26 April, Dr M.U. Nikitha, 23, an Ayurvedic doctor from Basava Layout, allegedly died by suicide at Holalkere in Chitradurga district, reportedly distressed by rumours linking her with a professor at an Ayurvedic medical college. She had claimed that friends and the professor's wife harassed her over the alleged relationship.
In a separate incident in January 2026, a doctor from Karwar district allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with a double-barrelled gun at his residence. According to police, he was reportedly under severe mental distress following widespread online criticism over an unverified viral video that accused him of administering expired medicine to a patient — an allegation that had not been verified at the time.
Context: Mental Health Pressures on Doctors
The clustering of such cases underscores the acute mental health pressures faced by medical professionals — from terminal illness and professional harassment to unverified social-media attacks. Dr Bhatkal had reportedly shared details of his suffering with close friends in the weeks before his death. No formal note beyond the WhatsApp messages has been reported by police.
Investigations are ongoing. Authorities have not yet indicated whether any further action is expected beyond the recovery and analysis of the messages.
Point of View
Who often continue in administrative roles long after diagnosis. The WhatsApp messages he sent — to his institutional head and his own doctor — suggest he sought acknowledgement, not intervention. That no one acted in time is a question the KLE Institute and Karnataka's medical community will need to confront honestly.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dr Dinesh Bhatkal?
Dr Dinesh Bhatkal was a senior administrator at the KLE Institute in Belagavi, Karnataka, with 40 years of service to the institution. He originally hailed from Ankola town in Karwar district and had recently shifted to Belagavi for treatment of lung cancer.
Why did Dr Dinesh Bhatkal allegedly die by suicide?
Police suspect Dr Bhatkal was unable to bear the severe pain caused by his lung cancer, with which he had been diagnosed four months before his death. In a WhatsApp message sent before the incident, he reportedly wrote that he was 'suffering from severe pain' and had taken the decision under those circumstances.
What messages did Dr Bhatkal send before his death?
He reportedly sent WhatsApp messages to KLE honorary executive president Prabhakar Kore and to his treating physician Dr Kerur. In his message to Kore, he asked him to help his family and inform the City Police Commissioner, describing the decision as personal.
Is this an isolated case of a doctor suicide in Karnataka?
No. This is reportedly the third such case in Karnataka in recent months. Dr M.U. Nikitha, 23, an Ayurvedic doctor, allegedly died by suicide on 26 April 2025 in Chitradurga district, and a doctor from Karwar district allegedly died by suicide in January 2026 after facing unverified online criticism.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police have recovered the WhatsApp messages sent by Dr Bhatkal and are investigating the matter. No formal suicide note beyond the messages has been reported, and no further action has been indicated at this stage.
