Despite protests by Opposition parties and people across the State, the Karnataka Government has refused to order a CBI probe into the mysterious death of DK Ravi, the IAS officer known for taking on the sand mafia. “There is no question of handing over the probe to the CBI. The State CID is already investigating the case. The truth will come out,” said Home Minister KJ George.
However, in Delhi, after seeking a detailed report from Karnataka on Ravi’s death, the Centre maintained on Thursday that it was ready to order a CBI probe into the incident if the State Government made a recommendation to that effect.
The lower House of Parliament witnessed heated exchanges between the Congress and the Treasury Benches as BJP MP Prahlad Joshi raised the issue saying the Karnataka Government has not accepted the demands of the parents of the IAS officer for a CBI investigation into the death of their 35-year-old son DK Ravi. Congress members from Karnataka rejected Joshi’s contention that the State Government was not sensitive to the issue of death of the officer.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the issue was flagged by a delegation of MPs who met him, and informed the lok Sabha that the Karnataka Chief Minister has told him that after receiving more details, he would send a detailed report to the Centre.
If the State Government recommends a CBI probe, the Centre will immediately order an enquiry by the Central investigating agency, Singh said. Meanwhile, both the BJP and Janata Dal(S) petitioned Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala for a CBI probe.
“The Government is not agreeing to this because they want to cover up this matter. The way the Chief Minister has spoken about the personal matters of DK Ravi in an interview it clearly suggests where this investigation is headed,” said BJP floor leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar.
“On the one hand, the Chief Minister says that he will order a CID investigation, and on the other, he transfers CID officer Mohanty. There is an attempt being made to hush up the matter. There are lots of people who have vested interests in this matter,” Shettar added.
To press for a CBI probe, the Opposition parties continued their dharna for the third day in the Assembly, forcing its adjournment till March 23. As the Assembly met, BJP and JD(S) members continued their round-the-clock dharna for the third day and raised slogans insisting on a CBI probe.
Higher Education Minister RV Deshpande said the Government would ensure a “transparent” enquiry into the death of DK Ravi. The State 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 the CBI.
The family of Ravi has alleged that there was “political pressure” and it was not suicide but a murder which could be probed only by the CBI. Several IAS officers in the State have also signed an online petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an enquiry by the Central agency.