IAS officer Mahantesh Bilagi, two relatives die in road accident near Kalaburagi

Senior IAS officer Mahantesh Bilagi, who was the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited (KSMCL), died in a road accident near Gonahalli Cross in Jewargi taluk of Kalaburagi district on Tuesday evening.

Two of his relatives, Shankar Bilagi and Eeranna Bilagi, also died in the accident.

According to police sources, the accident occurred at 5.30 pm when the 51-year-old police officer was on his way to Kalaburagi from Ramdurg in Belagavi district to attend a family wedding.

Initial reports indicated that the car carrying the victims crashed into the median and overturned. While his two relatives died at the scene, Bilagi, who was seriously injured, was taken to a private hospital in Kalaburagi.

Despite emergency treatment, he died from his injuries.

Bilagi, a 2012 batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, hailed from Ramdurg.

Before assuming office as General Manager of KSMCL, he served in several important positions including Deputy Commissioner of Davangere and General Manager of BESCOM.

Before joining the Civil Services, he worked as an English teacher in Dharwad.

Bilagi, as Deputy Commissioner of Davangere, focused on urban development and grievance redressal mechanisms.

As General Manager of BESCOM, he strived to facilitate power supply management and solve consumer problems.

News of his death sent shock waves through the bureaucracy.

Senior officers, including Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu and District Health and Family Welfare Officer Sharanabasappa Kyatanal, visited the hospital immediately after receiving information.