The suspected suicide by 2009-batch IAS officer DK Ravi triggered massive protests across Karnataka on Tuesday and put the Siddaramaiah Government in a spot. So far it is not clear if the officer ended his life; and if he did, what was the compelling force. It is also not clear whether he became a victim of mafia. Ravi was acknowledged as an honest officer who took on the sand and real estate mafia.
A day after Ravi’s body was found hanging in mysterious circumstances at his official flat in a posh locality in Bengaluru, the State witnessed massive protests. The issue also echoed in the State Assembly as members of both BJP and Janata Dal (S) demanded a CBI probe into Ravi’s death. They accused the Congress Government of hushing up issues surrounding Ravi’s death. The
Opposition also questioned the propriety of Bengaluru Police Commissioner MN Reddi, who told the media on Monday, before post-mortem was conducted, that prima facie it was a case of suicide. leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar of the BJP raised the issue as soon as the MlAs assembled. Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and his JD(S) MlAs also joined the chorus for a CBI probe.
Karnataka Home Minister KJ George justified the statement made by the Police Commissioner and assured the Assembly that the enquiry report will be tabled in the House within 15 days. The Chief Minister too assured the Assembly that an impartial probe will be conducted. Despite Opposition’s insistence on a CBI probe, the CM announced a CID probe into Ravi’s death.
Not satisfied with the Chief Minister’s reply, Opposition BJP and JDS members stormed into the Well of the House and staged a dharna, raising slogans against the Government for “failing” to protect honest officials.
In the legislative council, the BJP members directly linked Home Minister KJ George with Ravi’s death. BJP members V Somanna and PV Krishna Bhat said he was (Ravi) pressurised to compromise by the Home Minister. Outside the Assembly, amid an outpouring of grief, protesters hit the streets in Bengaluru and Kolar and demanded a CBI enquiry into Ravi’s death.
In Kolar, where Ravi was famous as a fearless district collector who took on the sand mafia, a total bandh was observed with roads wearing a deserted look and schools and colleges staying shut. In Bengaluru, parties like the AAP and Jai Karnataka held protests.
The death of Ravi also echoed in Parliament where Karnataka State BJP president and MP from Dharwad Prahlad Joshi raised the issue and demanded a CBI probe. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, State Home Minister KJ George, Energy Minister DK Shiv Kumar, Congress lawmaker from Kolar district KR Ramesh Kumar and many senior officials paid a visit to Ravi’s family.
The body of DK Ravi was taken to his native village Doddakoppalu in Kunigal Taluk of Tumkur District. Thousands of people paid their respects throughout the journey. The last rites were performed at his village with full Government honour.
Meanwhile, BJP’s former Deputy Chief Minister and Deputy floor leader R Ashok announced they would continue night-long Dharna demanding a CBI probe after Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa adjourned the House for the day. The JDS also joined the BJP in the night long dharna.