Karnataka Announces CBI Probe Into IAS officer DK Ravi’s Death

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Mar 23, 2015:  Amid a spiraling controversy over the death of IAS officer DK Ravikumar, who was found hanging in his home in Bengaluru last week, Sonia Gandhi has written to his wife assuring a fair investigation.

The Congress president has stepped in as her party’s government in Karnataka confronts opposition allegations of a cover-up and demands for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Sources say Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had been advised by Sonia Gandhi last week to call for a CBI investigation, may give in to pressure and make an announcement soon.

On Sunday, the High Court stopped the government from making public an initial report on what it called the "unnatural death" of the 36-year-old officer.

"The respondents are restrained from making or publishing any interim report or making any public statement pertaining to investigation being conducted with regard the unnatural death of DK Ravi...," Justice Abdul Nazeer said, adding that the investigation can continue.

The court acted on a petition by the husband of an IAS officer who knew DK Ravikumar and was the last to have been in touch with him, according to media reports. The woman has reportedly shared information with the state’s Criminal Investigation Department, which is inquiring into the case.

The officer was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his apartment last Monday. The police have said it is "prima facie a case of suicide," a premise questioned by many, including his family and friends.

On Thursday, the officer’s family members protested outside the state assembly until the Chief Minister arrived and spoke to them.

"The stand of the government would be made known on the floor of the House on Monday," Mr Siddaramaiah said on Saturday.

Opposition parties have rejected reports of personal reasons behind the death and say there is more to the case; the officer was known for taking on the sand and land mafia.

"We will not allow the government to submit the interim report because that is a deliberate attempt at misleading investigations," senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa said on Sunday.

 

Courtesy: NDTV