CID to take over Kalburgi murder probe, while awaiting CBI's response, says K'taka Law Minister

Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra on Monday said that CID will immediately take over the investigation into the murder of Kannada scholar M.M. Kalburgi, adding that the state government will wait for CBI's response in this matter.

"Matter will be immediately referred to CID, who will take up the immediate investigation, at the same time it was decided to write to CBI also. They (CBI) have a long process, once we write to them, they have to notify and then only will they take up the inquiry, we may lose time. That is the reason the CID will immediately take over ," Jayachandra told media here.

"The way in which he was murdered, it is a shock for the entire state. People of the state are expressing concern for this and some of the swamijis have also demanded that let there be a CBI inquiry," he added.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the Criminal Investigation Department of the state police will investigate the M.M. Kalburgi case, and promised to catch the culprits and punish them in accordance with the law.

People across the state also wore black arm bands and formed a human chain in protest against Kalburgi's murder.

Kalburgi was shot dead by unknown persons around 8.40 a.m. at his residence in Dharwad on Sunday.