Bengaluru IAS officer's death: State govt refuses to budge on CBI probe
Bengaluru: Resisting growing clamour for aCBI probe, Karnataka Government on Thursday decided to stick to its decision not to refer to the central agency the case of mysterious death of an upright IAS officer, as the issue paralysed Assembly for the third day and echoed in Parliament. As public anger escalated with the demand of family of the officer D K Ravi for a CBI probe resonating across the state amidst continuing protests, Home Minister K J George made it clear after a cabinet meeting that there was no change in the stand of the government, which has come under attack from the Opposition and others for "stonewalling" central probe.
"Whatever decision we have taken on the floor of the House (Assembly), that is the decision and we will stick to it," George told reporters.
Read: IAS officer DK Ravi’s death: Centre ready to order CBI probe
In Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said if the state government recommends a CBI probe, the Centre will immediately order an inquiry by the central agency. The issue was raised by a delegation of MPs who met him and Karnataka Chief Minister has informed him that after receiving more details, he would send a detailed report to the Centre, Singh said as BJP state unit President Prahlad Joshi raised the matter.
Read: DK Ravi’s death: IAS officers sign online petition addressed to PM Modi for CBI probe
Ratcheting up pressure, BJP and JDS MLAs marched in a procession from Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat, to Raj Bhavan and requested Governor Vajubhai Vala to advise the Siddaramaiah Government to refer the case to CBI. The march came after members of both parties stalled proceedings in the Assembly as they continued their round-the-clock dharna for the third day, forcing adjournment of the House till March 23.
Read: Bengaluru IAS officer DK Ravi's death: Parents threaten to commit suicide, demands CBI probe
As the Assembly met, BJP and JDS members raised slogans insisting on a CBI probe but the state government refused to budge. Amidst the din, the House was abruptly adjourned. Accusing the government of trying to "hush up" the case, Opposition parties today sought Governor's intervention for a CBI probe into the death of the officer, who was found hanging from a ceiling fan at a room in his apartment on March 16.
Read: IAS officer DK Ravi's death: Karnataka Assembly adjourned till Monday, protests
"We have petitioned him (Governor) that this mysterious death should be investigated only by CBI. We have told him that with an intention to hush up this issue government is not willing to hand over this issue to CBI," Opposition BJP leader in the Assembly, Jagadish Shettar told reporters after they met Vala.
