BALLARI(Karnataka) | Aug 18, 2015:

Trade union leader and well-known advocate Arvind Malebennur died at Hutti in Raichur district on Monday due to old age and illness.

He was 87.

Mr. Malebennur, a resident of Ballari till recently, had led a life of struggle and sacrifice as a trade union leader and a leading criminal advocate.

Son of freedom fighter Satwant Rao, Mr. Malebennur also participated in the freedom movement.

He walked along with Jayprakash Narayan from Ballari to Adoni during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Mr. Malebennur joined the Communist movement in 1954 and emerged as a veteran trade union leader.

He was the vice-president of All-India NMDC Employees Association, served as general secretary of the Hatti Gold Mines Employees Union, president of the Donimalai Iron Ore Project Employees Association and held the post of president of the Ballari Bar Association.

Mr. Malebennur unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections thrice — twice from Ballari in 1961 and 1967 and from Sandur in 1983. T.G. Vittal, one of his close associates said, “Ballari has lost a veteran trade union leader.” The last rites were performed at Hatti on Monday evening.

(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)