Shivamogga Temple Tragedy: Retired Engineer Dies After Getting Trapped Beneath Elevator, Disturbing Video Surfaces

An 80-year-old retired engineer, identified as Kumaraswamy, tragically died after becoming trapped beneath an elevator car at the Dattatreya Swamy Temple in Vinayaka Nagar in Karnataka's Shivamogga. The fatal incident occurred on Sunday morning, August 2, during routine temple visits, prompting an official investigation by local law enforcement into potential mechanical failures or safety oversights.

Sequence of Events

According to official complaint details lodged at the Jayanagar Police Station, Kumaraswamy had left his Vinobha Nagar residence at around 7:30 AM. He informed his 75-year-old wife, Lalitha Kumaraswamy, that he intended to visit the Rotary Blood Bank in Vinayaka Nagar for a blood test before proceeding to the Dattatreya Swamy Temple. Karnataka Shocker: Man Walks Into Police Station After Slitting Wife, Sister-in-Law's Throats.

Retired Engineer Dies After Getting Trapped Beneath Elevator

At approximately 9:00 AM, a family friend arrived at the victim's home to inform the family that he had fallen critically ill after an accident near the temple's elevator doors. Police investigations revealed that the tragedy unfolded when Kumaraswamy pressed the elevator button to travel to an upper floor. Believing that the elevator car had arrived, he opened the manual outer door and stepped into the shaft. However, the lift car was stationed on an upper floor; as it descended, it struck him and pinned him beneath it, causing severe trauma.

Rescue Efforts and Police Investigation

Personnel from the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services swiftly responded to the emergency, rescuing Kumaraswamy from the shaft and rushing him to McGann District Hospital. Upon her arrival at the hospital, attending doctors confirmed that Kumaraswamy had succumbed to his injuries. Following a written complaint filed by Lalitha Kumaraswamy, the Jayanagar Police registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR). Karnataka Shocker: Woman Hacked to Death at Bantwal KSRTC Bus Stand After Rejecting Relative's One-Sided Love.

Law enforcement officials subsequently inspected the site to determine whether a mechanical failure in the manual door lock or a safety oversight allowed the outer door to open without the elevator car present. Shivamogga SP B Nikhil told Times of India that the body was processed for a post-mortem examination before being released to the family for final rites as the investigation continues.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2026 12:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).