Karnataka techie who quit his job to build future in agriculture dies after being struck by lightning while visiting farmland

A 43-year-old IT professional from Karnataka tragically died after being struck by lightning while visiting farmland in Mysuru with his family. The victim, identified as Roshan Balakrishna from Madikeri town, had reportedly travelled to the site to inspect land linked to his agricultural plans. The incident took place on Wednesday.

Karnataka IT Professional Had Recently Shifted Focus to Agriculture

Roshan had recently quit his job in the IT sector and had started working with a friend in the field of agriculture.

He was reportedly involved in promoting and marketing modern agricultural equipment to farmers while managing the business from home.


Roshan had travelled to Mysuru specifically to examine land as part of efforts to expand his farming-related activities and explore new opportunities in agriculture.

Lightning Struck While He Was Plucking Mangoes

Reports said there was a mango tree near the farmland.

Roshan had reportedly stopped to pluck mangoes when lightning suddenly struck him. He collapsed instantly and died on the spot.

His wife and son were present during the incident.

Another individual who was at the location also suffered injuries after the lightning strike. However, the injuries were not said to be serious.

Family to Receive Rs 5 Lakh Compensation

Following the incident, the Mysuru district disaster management unit began the process of providing financial assistance to Roshan Balakrishna’s family.

According to reports, the total compensation announced is Rs 5 lakh.

Out of this amount, Rs 4 lakh will be provided through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), while the remaining Rs 1 lakh will come from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Tragic Incident Highlights Monsoon Weather Risks

The incident once again shows how dangerous lightning strikes can be during the monsoon season, especially in open farmland areas.

What makes the tragedy even sadder is that Roshan Balakrishna had recently moved away from the corporate world and was trying to build a new life in agriculture alongside his friend.

Inputs from TOI