Karnataka govt orders CBI probe into death of IAS officer D K Ravi

The Karnataka CM asserted that the government never wanted to hush up the case nor did it intend to protect anyone

Bowing to mounting public pressure, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today decided to hand over to CBI the probe into the mysterious death of an upright IAS officer that had led to national outrage and state-wide protests.

The Chief Minister made the announcement in the Assembly, saying he was referring the case to CBI honouring the feelings of parents of officer D K Ravi and public sentiments.

"I understand the feelings of Ravi's parents.... We respect public sentiments..," Siddaramaiah said, adding, the government was keen that the truth should be brought out and culprits punished.

He also asserted that the government never wanted to hush up the case nor did it intend to protect anyone.

"...We believe in people's power. We believe in respecting public sentiments," said the Chief Minister who was facing rising public anger and growing clamour for a CBI probe.

The family of 35-year old Ravi, who had made a mark as a bold officer and taken on the sand and land mafia besides ordering crackdown on tax evaders, had suspected foul play and demanded an inquiry by the central agency.

Opposition BJP and JDS had also launched an offensive against the Siddaramaiah government with public protests also raging statewide ever since the death of Ravi on Monday last, when police had suspected it to be prima facie a case of suicide.