UP recommends CBI probe into IAS officer's death, family meets CM

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday recommended a CBI probe into the death of Karnataka cadre IAS officer Anurag Tiwari, after his family met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here seeking a probe by the central agency into his death last week under mysterious circumstances.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar told the media that the government has decided to recommend to the Centre a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Earlier in the day, the officer's family, including the brother and sister-in-law, met the Chief Minister and expressed concern over the circumstances leading to Tiwari's death.

They said they suspected murder since the IAS officer was about to "expose" a major food scam in Karnataka, where he was posted as Commissioner in the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.

The Chief Minister assured them of sympathetic view on the matter and said the CBI probe will be considered, a family member said.

Hours later, the government recommended the CBI probe, as demanded by the family.

Anurag Tiwari was found dead on a roadside in state capital Lucknow last Wednesday (May 17).

Earlier, on the family's demand, the police lodged it as a murder case.

Lucknow Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar ordered the registration of an FIR after the dead IAS officer's family filed a complaint in the case at the Hazratganj police station.

The family members reached Lucknow from Bahraich and drove straight to the state guest house on Mirabai Marg where the 2007 batch IAS official had stayed for two days before his death, on his 35th birthday.

He was there with his batchmate P.N. Singh, who is Vice Chairman of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA).

Tiwari was last seen having dinner at a prominent eatery in the state capital on Tuesday near Raj Bhawan, a day before he was found dead.

There have been conflicting versions and loose ends in the police probe into Tiwari's death so far.

The Special Investigating Team (SIT) formed by SSP Kumar had failed to crack the case even after the expiry of a 72-hour deadline.

Mayank Tiwari, brother of the deceased official, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention for a fair probe into the circumstances leading to the death of Anurag Tiwari.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart on Friday requesting him to ensure that the case is "thoroughly investigated by a competent team of investigators and professionals".

Siddaramaiah had said that the untimely death of an upright IAS officer of Karnataka cadre has caused great anguish to the people in the state, and asked that the whole incident, including the circumstances leading to his death and cause of death, should be thoroughly investigated.

--IANS

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