Information Department staffers have been giving some nasty surprises to their bosses for the last few days. On May 10, a Group D employee B A Chandregowda bit his Office Superintendent Siddaraju on his hand because he was denied a three-day leave.

Siddaraju was shifted to Bowring hospital where he was given first aid. Later, Siddaraju lodged a complaint with the Commercial Street Police. In the complaint Siddaraju alleged that Gowda had threatened him to kill him and sought protection from him. Sources revealed that Gowda has a history of mentally illness.

Yet another Group D employee Thimma Shetty consumed sleeping tablets after he reported to work on Thursday. After he started sweating profusely, his colleagues took him to Bowring Hospital, where he was declared out of danger following treatment.

Commercial Street Police Inspector S Badrinath said, "Thimma Shetty is recovering gradually. We have already recorded his statement. He has said that he had a quarrel with his in-laws, which led him to take this extreme step. We are waiting for his complete recovery to summon him to the station for further questioning."

"In the Siddaraju case, we have lodged a complaint. We will take appropriate action against Chandregowda," said Badrinath.

On Thursday, the Commercial Street Police served a notice to higher ups to produce the accused for further questioning. "This is a procedure followed whenever a government servant involved in a crime. If the department does not reply to the notice, the police will initiate action as per the law, which would entail detaining the accused," Badrinath said.

Mallikarjuna G Kelagade, director, Information Department, said, "By the time I reached the office the staff had taken Thimma Shetty to the hospital for treatment. I was busy with meetings today. As per the information, he is recovering in the hospital. Nothing to worry. In the Siddaraju case, a complaint has been filed with the Commercial Street Police. They are taking care of it," said Mallikarjuna.