Accused of molesting 13-yr-old girl, Kabaddi coach hangs himself in hotel room

Bengaluru, 16: Senior kabaddi coach Rudrappa V Hosamani, who was recently suspended for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old girl at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in north Bengaluru, has hanged himself in a hotel room here. The incident came to light yesterday when police broke open the door of the hotel room.

Hosamani, 59, who was with the SAI Training Centre (STC) in Bengaluru, was suspended last week following an internal inquiry. He reportedly checked into a hotel in Harihar town in Davanagere on Sunday. Realising that Hosamani had not stepped out ever since he checked in, hotel staff suspected foul play and informed the police, who broke open the door and found the body.

Hosamani left behind a note addressed to his wife Devika and son Rakesh, his close relatives and friends. “He apologised to them for what he did. He said he was helpless. He asked his son to look after Devika and to donate his body,” a police source said. “The suicide note said, ‘Ammanannu channagi nodiko, nanage tumba novagide, aada karana... kshamisi bidi (look after your mother well, I am hurt, that is the reason… forgive me)’.”

Hosamani’s body was handed over to his relatives after a post-mortem was conducted at the Harihar Government Hospital on Monday.

The alleged incident of molestation took place on October 9 in the girls’ dressing room near the kabaddi arena at the Sports Authority of India campus. The girl raised an alarm and ran out of the dressing room. She then informed her family who later confronted and manhandled Hosamani.

On October 10, SAI authorities directed their internal committee to probe the issue and question Hosamani before placing him under suspension. They filed a complaint with the Jnanabharati police who registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.