IAS officer death; CBI should probe: Santosh Hegde

Former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde today flayed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's remark that investigation into the IAS officer's death should be first conducted by CID and then given to CBI.
"I heard Chief Minister saying on the television that the government will first conduct the investigation into the mysterious incident, and if there is any discontentment over its findings, the case could be later referred to CBI," he said.
"This is not correct because there will be attempts to destroy the evidence during CID probe, and when it will come before CBI there will not be anything left for the central agency to make a strong case out of it," Hegde told reporters.

He said the government should hand over the case to CBI, if it wants a fair and honest investigation.
Justice Hegde also said "if the government orders CBI enquiry, it will only bring them honour and pride, not harm."
Moreover, it is very hard to believe an upright and bold IAS official like Ravi committed suicide, Hegde said.

He also observed that CID investigation will not bring the truth out, especially when a legislator's name is making rounds of pressurising and interfering in the affairs of the deceased IAS officer.
"We have come to know of a legislator putting pressure on Ravi and in this backdrop, the case should be given to CBI for inquiry. The local police will not be able to act freely and will be under pressure, that's my view," he said.

Moreover, the CID probe will not go down well with people and Ravi's family as they have expressed their distrust on CID conducting free and fair investigation, Hegde said.