BENGALURU: A 21-year-old BTech graduate from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, who had recently moved to Bengaluru in search of a job, died after allegedly inhaling insecticide fumes at his paying guest (PG) accommodation in Marathahalli on October 21. The incident occurred under the HAL police limits.

The deceased has been identified as D Pavan, who had been residing at the BNR PG for Gents, owned by Boyila Narasimha Reddy. Following the tragedy, Pavan’s father, D Devarajulu, lodged a police complaint against Reddy, accusing him of negligence.

Insecticide sprayed to kill bedbugs

According to preliminary investigation, Reddy had sprayed insecticide inside the PG rooms a few days earlier to eliminate bedbugs and had locked the premises afterward. While other occupants were sent out as a precautionary measure, police said Reddy failed to inform Pavan, who returned from his hometown on October 20.

The PG was equipped with a biometric lock system, allowing Pavan to enter the room using his fingerprint, unaware of the lingering toxic fumes inside.

Father’s last phone call

In his complaint, Devarajulu said, “Around 5 am on October 21, Pavan called to say he had reached Bengaluru and was heading to the PG. Around 7 am, he called again saying there was a strong smell in the room, he was finding it hard to breathe, and had stomach pain. I told him to step outside immediately.”

By 8 am, a caretaker named Narappa called to inform that Pavan’s condition had worsened and that he was being taken to the hospital. “Later, my relative Shankar informed me that Pavan had died,” Devarajulu added.

Case registered

Police said Pavan had been living at the PG since July while attending a job-oriented training course.
A case has been registered against Reddy under Section 106 (causing death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code.

“We have issued a notice to Reddy to appear for investigation,” a police officer said, adding that the insecticide’s chemical composition is being tested to confirm whether it caused Pavan’s death.