7 days ago
Davanagere youth ends life after losing Rs 18 lakh in betting
Davanagere: A 25-year-old printing press worker, Shashikumar Ritti from Saraswathi Nagar in Davanagere, took his own life on July 3 after suffering losses of Rs 18 lakh through an online gambling application.
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SP Uma Prashant confirmed this as the district's first such incident. His initial Rs 500 wager escalated to Rs 5,000, culminating in a deceptive display of Rs 19 crore winnings.
KTJ Nagar police reported he died by hanging after failing to withdraw the funds. He previously filed a complaint at CEN police station in Davanagere on May 14, 2025. After authorities failed to trace the suspects, he made several visits to check progress and expressed his disappointment through social media, seeking attention from senior officials.
The family, including his parents and brother, are facing significant hardship following his death, as Shashikumar was the primary breadwinner who supported their daily needs. His parents feel bereft following his passing.
Before his death, Shashikumar wrote to MP Prabha Mallikarjun and the judiciary members. His letter detailed widespread fraud through online betting applications, mentioning numerous victims and insufficient action against offenders.
In his final note, Shashikumar Ritti called for banning betting applications to prevent future tragedies. He addressed his concerns about deceptive betting practices to the district collector, the judiciary, and MP Prabha Mallikarjun. His last selfie videos have appeared on social media.
The victim, who worked at a printing press, began using betting applications last year through a mobile link. Early wins encouraged further participation.
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Despite the application showing large winnings, he could not withdraw the money. Regular pressure from private lenders contributed to his decision to end his life.
SP Uma Prashant confirmed recovering the death note from Shashikumar, noting it did not identify the fraudulent application. Police have seized his mobile phone for investigation and continue raising public awareness about online gambling risks. This represents the district's first documented case. "We urge youth to avoid quick-money schemes and focus on legitimate work, cautioning against trusting applications promising large returns," the SP advised.
