Bengaluru (DHNS): The State government on Tuesday told the Assembly that based on certain evidence gathered by the police, prima facie it appears IAS officer D K Ravi committed suicide for personal reasons.
The government also summarily rejected the Opposition’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and handed over the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Thirty-six-year-old Ravi, who was additional commissioner (enforcement) in the commercial taxes department, was found dead on Monday at his apartment near Koramangala here.
Home Minister K J George, who was heckled by the Opposition, said that a special investigation team, which was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-East) Rohini Katoch Sepat, had reported that prima facie it was a case of suicide.
Soon after the incident came to light on Monday, Police Commissioner M N Reddi had also said that at the outset it looked like a case of suicide.
George said: “The team has also said that it has got hints that the suicide was for personal reasons.”
A BJP MLC said one of the companies which was under the scanner belonged to Home Minister K J George.
He also said that another influential politician wanted Ravi to reduce the Rs 40 crore penalty levied on his firm to Rs 40 lakh.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, too, said that Ravi’s death was prima facie declared as suicide. More details cannot be revealed as the investigation is on, he added. The chief minister also said the government will continue to probe the case to identify the reasons behind his drastic step and will place an interim report of the CID before the Assembly by the end of the ongoing session. The session is scheduled to end by March 31.
Siddaramaiah was also forced to clarify on the sequence of events that took place on Monday as the statement made on the floor of the House by the home minister had certain factual errors.
The Assembly and Council witnessed a heated debate over the issue with the government standing firm on a CID probe, while the combined might of the Opposition, including the BJP and JD(S), demanded a CBI probe as it felt the case was not as simple as was being made out by the government.
Former home minister R Ashoka said the government was trying to cover up the issue and protect those who are responsible for the officer’s death. Only a CBI probe can bring out the truth, he added.
To this, George said: “Our police officers are efficient. It would demoralise them if the probe is handed over to the CBI. The interim report will be placed before the session in 10 days. Let us discuss the report. If you are not satisfied then we can discuss whether we should hand over the probe to the CBI.”
The agitated Opposition refused to vacate the Legislature and began an indefinite all-night protest till the government ceded to their demand.
Leader of the Opposition in the Council K S Eshwarappa said the government was trying to tarnish Ravi’s image and hush up the case by giving it a “love angle”.
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