‘Ayukta must probe Rashmi, ATI cases’ Revenue minister, Srinivas Prasad

Bengaluru: Revenue minister, Srinivas Prasad made it clear on Friday that he was not satisfied with senior IAS officer, Vijay Bhaskar being asked to inquire into the alleged irregularities in the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) that had been brought to the government’s attention by its present director general, Rashmi V Mahesh.

Revealing that he had recommended a Lokayukta probe into the attack on Ms Rashmi and the alleged irregularities, he said he had explained the situation to the CM.

“Mr Vijay Bhaskar is a senior officer, but I don't think his inquiry will be adequate. I spoke to the CM and explained to him about the failure of the police and the irregularities. I suggested that the investigation should be done by the Lokayukta. As district in charge minister, I have done my duty,'' he told reporters here.

Defending Ms Rashmi, he said that soon after taking charge of ATI, she had noticed irregularities but did not go to the media at that point and instead sent a report to the Chief Secretary. “Meanwhile, the man looking after the canteen committed suicide and subsequently, she was attacked.

Only after that did she tell the press what had led to it,'' the minister recalled, agreeing with her that the police had deliberately stayed away during her visit to condole the death of the mess in-charge. “After the incident, I spoke to the local DCP in Mysore and Ms Rashmi. I realised there was some dereliction of duty by the police, leading to the attack. I realised some people were behind it,'' he said.