District Collector Arjun Pandian has directed the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) to conduct an inquiry into the sudden death of senior clerk A. Ashalatha, who worked at the Kasaragod Collectorate and submit a report. The departmental inquiry will be conducted in addition to the investigation by the Vidyanagar police.Ashalatha, in a statement recorded by the Vidyanagar police on August 7 at a hospital in Chengala in the presence of relatives, had reportedly said that she had consumed poison around 10 a.m. on August 7. She said she had felt isolated at home and office and had been mentally distressed for several days as a result.According to her statement to the police, Ashalatha said she had no complaint against anyone. She died at a private hospital in Kozhikode around noon on August 9.Ashalatha had been working at the endosulfan special cell at the Collectorate since May 12. Officials in charge of the special cell said she had been performing her duties well. The Collector said strict action would be taken if anyone was found responsible for her death in the departmental inquiry. Published - August 10, 2026 07:54 pm IST