The pontiff of Guru Madiwaleshwara Math of Neginhal village in Bailhongal taluk in this district, was found dead with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide.

Basavsiddhlinga Swamiji was found hanging in his room in the math premises on Monday morning, when one of his assistants had gone to check for the seer, when he did not come out or respond to knocks at the door.