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DK Ravi's death: Demand for CBI probe gains momentum

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The people's protest in front of Town Hall, Bangalore. Photo: Flickr

The people’s protest in front of Town Hall, Bangalore. Photo: Flickr

Bengaluru: The death of a young IAS officer – DK Ravi in Karnataka disrupted proceedings of the Lok Sabha for the third day, stalled business in the State Legislature on Thursday.

In the Lok Sabha, BJP member Prahlad Joshi said the 2009-batch officer, who was found dead in his apartment in Bengaluru on Monday evening, was murdered, and accused the State government of a cover-up as he had initiated action against the real estate lobby.

The protest continued on Friday in several pockets of Karnataka and outside, demanding a CBI probe. Several organization and political parties apart from parents and friends of D.K Ravi are hitting the streets for not handing over the case to the CBI.

Intervening in the matter, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre would order a CBI investigation if the State government made a recommendation. Further, Mr. Singh informed the House that he had been in touch with the Chief Minister on this case and had been told that a detailed report would be sent to the Centre within two days.

The people's protest in front of Town Hall, Bangalore. Photo: Flickr

The people’s protest in front of Town Hall, Bangalore. Photo: Flickr

In Bengaluru, a united Opposition, led by the former Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar of the BJP and H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal(S), met Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala and submitted a petition seeking a CBI investigation.

However, the State government, which has handed over the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department of the police, maintained that “it is prima facie a case of suicide.”

Chief Minister Siddaramiah was quoted in a Kannada newspaper as revealing details of Ravi’s call records.

Taking strong exception to the government declaring details of an investigation and stating on the floor of the House the cause of death before the investigations have been completed, former CBI Director R.K. Raghavan told : “The first mistake was for the Police Commissioner and the State government to have declared it as a suicide even before a post mortem was conducted”.

Congress leaders call for CBI probe

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and a few ministers were engaged in a war of words during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday after a section of the Congress, led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G. Parameshwara, favoured a CBI probe into the death of IAS officer D.K. Ravi, who was found dead on Monday.

While Higher Education Minister R.V. Deshpande, Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao and Parameshwara are in favour of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, ministers owing allegiance to Siddaramaiah like Home Minister K.J. George, Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa and Cooperation Minister H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, are opposed to it.

(Agencies)

Opposition protest over DK Ravi death forces Assembly adjournment

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Bengaluru: Opposition parties continued their dharna for the third day today in the state Assembly demanding a CBI probe into the mysterious death of an upright IAS officer,forcing its adjournment till March 23, as protests over the death persisted across the state.

As the Assembly met, BJP and JDS members, continuing their round-the-clock dharna for the third day, raised slogans insisting on a CBI probe, as government remained unrelenting in its stand that CID was competent enough to do it.

 

Amid the din, a bill was introduced and a condolence message read out over the passing away of Tulu language film actor Tailor, with the opposition members remaining in the well of the House.

Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande said the government would ensure a “transparent” inquiry into the death of D K Ravi, who was found hanging from a ceiling fan at a room in his apartment on Monday evening.

Government has maintained that it was prima facie a case of suicide, but the opposition parties and the family of the IAS officer have refused to accept the theory and are seeking a probe by CBI.

Opposition BJP leader Jagadish Shettar said the House was not in order but as the ruckus continued, Speaker Kagodu Thimappa abruptly announced adjournment of the House till Monday.

Joining hands, BJP and JDS MLAs staged a dharna in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat, holding placards and shouting slogans demanding a CBI probe.

Meanwhile, protests continued in Bengaluru and Tumakuru, the district from which Ravi hailed.

In Tumakuru, ABVP students blocked a national highway demanding a CBI investigation but were chased away by police who made a mild laticharge. The district is also observing a bandh today in response to a call given by various organisations.

Students of Agricultural University in Bengaluru, where Ravi graduated in agriculture, also marched in a procession seeking “justice” and a CBI probe into the death of Ravi.

The family of Ravi has alleged that there was “political pressure” and it was not suicide but a murder which should be probed only by CBI.

Several IAS officers in the state have also signed an online petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking inquiry by the central agency.

(PTI)

The people's protest in front of Town Hall, Bangalore.

The people’s protest in front of Town Hall, Bangalore.

DK Ravi had no family problems; MLA pressured him: Father-in-law

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Bengaluru: Mar 19: Ravi’s father-in-law Hanumantharayappa on Wednesday said that Bangarpet MLA S N Narayanaswamy had pressured Ravi in support of Confident Group, a real estate firm accused of encroaching government land in Kolar district.

Hanumantharayappa said that because of this pressure, he had requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to transfer Ravi to any post in Bengaluru.

Hanumantharayappa, a Congress leader, was addressing a press meet at his house at Mallathahalli in Nagarabhavi.

“During Ravi’s stint as Kolar DC, there was pressure from politicians. Narayanaswamy was favouring Confident Group and had been putting pressure on Ravi. When Ravi told me about repeated threats and pressures, I requested the chief minister to post my son-in-law in Bengaluru. I have never interfered in his work, except during his transfer from Kolar,” he said.

Hanumantharayappa said that Ravi had no family issues bothering him. “I have been reading some reports that my daughter was not ready to live with Ravi’s parents. I would like to clarify that all these reports are false. In fact, my daughter wanted to move to the apartment since the government-allotted quarters in Vasanthnagar was under renovation. My daughter wanted to move into the apartment along with Ravi’s parents. During the weekend, Ravi had spoken to the engineer in charge of renovation work of the quarters and told him that he would visit the house along with my daughter for inspection,” Hanumantharayappa said.

Asked about the statement by Home Minister K J George that the suicide was due to some personal problem, Hanumantharayappa said Ravi was not the one who would commit suicide.

“On Monday morning, Ravi was normal. He received a call from Kalaburagi regarding work and he told the caller to meet him on Tuesday to discuss the issue. If it turns out to be true that Ravi committed suicide owing to personal reasons, I feel he has betrayed his parents, his wife and his in-laws,” Hanumantharayappa said.

Asked about the reports that Ravi had made the last call to an IAS officer, Hanumantharayappa said a detailed probe would reveal all aspects.

“His phone call record details will throw up all details. I demand a thorough investigation into the case by CBI or any such agency. He would have left a note if he had committed suicide. The police in our presence searched for the suicide note in his pockets and purse, however nothing was found. I had even called Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Rohini Katoch Sepat on Wednesday morning to know if any note was found during the investigation. She said the probe has been handed over to CID. Even if he faced any threats with his present assignment, probe will reveal everything,” he said.

(Agencies)

DK Ravi's parents threaten to end life if CBI probe is not ordered

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Bengaluru: Kariappa and Gowramma couple, the grieving parents of deceased IAS officer DK Ravi staged a protest outside Vidhana Soudha demanding CBI probe into the mysterious death of their son.

Calling Ravi the ‘son of this country’, the parents of Ravi said that if an impartial probe is not conducted into the case then they would end their life.

The grieving parents also expressed their anguish over certain section of people floating rumours about their son and opined that such rumours are being floated only to malign the reputation Ravi had earned for himself over the years.

They have further demanded the government to appoint Ravi’s wife Kusuma Ravi to his post.

The Association of the IAS officers too have demanded a CBI probe into the case.

(Agencies)

DK Ravi death case: BJP demands suspension of M N Reddi

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Bangalore City Police Commissioner, M N Reddi. File Photo.

Bangalore City Police Commissioner, M N Reddi. File Photo.

Bengaluru: The opposition party at the state is up in arms against City Police Commissioner M N Reddi for his statement that Ravi had committed suicide.

Leader of Opposition in the Council K S Eshwarappa has questioned the Commissioner as to how he could arrive at the conclusion even before the post mortem or forensic examination reports were out.

Demanding the resignation of Reddi or suspension of the top cop, Eshwarappa wondered if Reddi was making the statement at the government’s behest and further questioned if a murder was being hushed up.

The Commissioner came under attack by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar and BJP leader R Ashok.

However, Congress leaders in the Council and in the Assembly came to the rescue of Reddi stating that the Commissioner had clearly said that ‘Prima facie’ it appears to be a suicide and did not conclude that it was a case of suicide.

(Agencies)

DK Ravi's death: Officer was planning raids on big developers, says activist

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Bengaluru: With tension gripping Karnataka’s capital following the death of IAS officer DK Ravi, social activist and whistleblower Ganesh S Koundiny has claimed that DK Ravi was planning raids on some big developers to unearth commercial tax evasion.

Ravi, after taking over as Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Enforcement) in October, had recovered an income tax of Rs 400 crore from housing societies.

“I had a conversation with Ravi on Thursday and Friday, if I remember. He told me that he had conducted raids on some developers and housing societies and recovered Rs 400 crore as income tax … Ravi was looking at raiding some big developers in Bangalore and he wanted to recover the evasion of taxes,” Koudinhy told reporters in Bengaluru.

The activist said that the deceased officer was eager to meet him to get some documentary evidence in his possession so they both could work together to unearth commercial tax violations.

“Since Ravi wanted some documents from me, he got in touch with me so that we both could work together to see that commercial tax violation could be unearthed,” he added.

Koundiny also said he was planning to meet Ravi in a couple days. “Ravi told me to meet this week and I was contemplating to meet him today or tomorrow, but before that this incident happened,” he added.

He flayed the government for “concluding” in the Assembly that it was a suicide even before the investigation commenced. “What is annoying is that even before the investigation has commenced, the government has taken a stand that it is a suicide,” he said.

The 35-year-old IAS officer, who had taken on the sand mafia known in Kolar district of Karnataka was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room at his official flat here yesterday.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner MN Reddi said that forensically, medically and examination of the situation all point to “prima facie understanding of a suicide.”

Earlier, anger spilled on to the streets of Karnataka on Tuesday as sea of crowd gathered outside Ravi’s residence to pay tributes and accompany the IAS officer’s body on his final journey.

Meanwhile, minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that the death of IAS officer DK Ravi is a serious matter, but added that the Central Government will not intervene at this stage. “This is a serious issue because it involves a senior official. We have raised the issue in the house also,” said Rijiju. “It is difficult for the Central Government to intervene in the functioning of the State Government because this case is directly related to them,” he added.

Condoling the death of Ravi, an upright IAS officer who had taken on the sand mafia, Kejriwal also pledged to continue his fight against corruption. “IAS officer D K Ravi, who took on Mafia, found dead. Heart felt condolences 2 his family.

“Let’s pledge to continue his fight against corruption,” he tweeted.

(Agencies)

Karnataka: Janardhan Poojary urges CBI inquiry into D K Ravi death

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Mangaluru: In the wake of state-wide protests after the sudden death of IAS officer D K Ravi in Bengaluru on Monday, former union minister B Janardhan Poojary urged the Chief Minister of Karnataka to conduct a CBI enquiry in the case.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, he said that no person was willing to believe that such a bold and straightforward IAS officer had hung himself. The chief minister should set an example to the entire country by ordering a CBI inquiry in the death of IAS officer D K Ravi and send a message that the government will protect its officers. He should order a CBI probe to give the message that no criminal would go unpunished. There should be a thorough investigation in this regard, he urged.

The Centre also has a responsibility as much as the state government in this regard. There are only a handful of worthy officers in the state and country. Is it possible for such a brave IAS officer who took on the sand mafia and land mafia tax evaders, to have committed a suicide? Hence, there should be a thorough probe in his death, he reiterated, adding that even if the death was proved a suicide, there was a law that sought punishment for abetment to suicide.

Mr Poojary also urged that the media should highlight the issue to the extent that the central government took cognizance of the mysterious death since the deceased IAS officer had been selected and appointed by the Centre.

No culprit involved in his death, powerful or otherwise, should be allowed to go unpunished. Corruption should be tackled at all costs, he urged, stating that the young IAS officer had been loved and respected by all for his sincere work and sense of justice towards the common man and the poor.

He advised activists and protestors to conduct peaceful protests against the death of the young officer so that the law and order would not be disrupted in the state.

(Agencies)

Young IAS officer DK Ravi found dead in Bengaluru: Suicide or Murder?

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Bengaluru: Young IAS officer DK Ravi, posted as Additional Commissioner (Enforcement) of Commercial Tax Department, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his St. John’s Wood apartment in Kormangla, Bengaluru.

The 2009-batch IAS officer was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his ninth-floor flat (Number 903, E block) at Prestige St John’s Wood apartment at Suddguntepalya on Tavarekere Main Road by Kusuma, his wife, at around 6:30 pm. Police Commissioner M N Reddi said: “Prima facie, it looks like a case of suicide. Until the inquest is conducted, we cannot come to a conclusive understanding.”

Ravi, 35, had moved to this official flat, provided by the department, just one-and-a-half months ago. He had married Kusuma, daughter of former Rajarajeshwarinagar CMC president Hanumantharayappa, four years ago.

Ravi, from Tumakuru, used to visit his father-in-law’s house in Mallathalli, off Nagarabhavi, on weekends. This weekend, too, he was at his in-laws’ house, and left for office from there on Monday morning.

At 10:35 am, he left office for his apartment. His driver waited for him at the parking lot from 10:45 am.

The police said it was only in the evening that his wife and other family members grew suspicious when there was no response to repeated calls on Ravi’s cellphone.

Kusuma opened the door to their flat using a duplicate key around 6:30 pm. “His wife and father-in-law found him hanging from the bedroom ceiling fan by a cloth. A special team led by DCP (Southeast) Rohini Katoch Sepat, a qualified medical doctor, will probe the case,” said Reddi.

The young bureaucrat had hit headlines when, as deputy commissioner of Kolar, he initiated a drive to clear encroachments on government lands. Kolar residents had observed a bandh to protest his transfer last November.

From the day he took charge as Additional Commissioner (Enforcement South) on November 14, 2014, Ravi led several raids on various business establishments—especially real-estate majors—for tax evasion.

While there were reports that Ravi was being receiving threats from the underworld over the raids, the police commissioner said Ravi had informed neither the police nor his superiors of any such call.

“He did not contact anyone after 11 am. He was not in the habit of returning to his flat early. Also, he used to have lunch at office. We have not found any suicide note from the apartment. Naturally, his family is not in a position to respond to our queries. Forensic experts have examined the spot and have stated that prima facie it is a case of suicide,” said Reddi.

The IAS officer’s body was shifted to Victoria Hospital where the post-mortem will be conducted on Tuesday.

Hundreds of people from Kolar and Kunigal gathered at the hospital and protested, saying that the corrupt system had led to Ravi’s death.

(Agencies)

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