IAS officer's death: HC steps in, Stir continue for CBI probe

The Karnataka High Court today restrained the state government from publishing any interim report of CID into the "unnatural death" of IAS officer D K Ravi, as protests raged for the sixth consecutive day demanding a CBI probe into it.
The court order came at a special hearing at the residence of Justice Abdul Nazeer, ahead of the announcement tomorrow by the government of its stand on the issue of referring the case, now being probed by CID, to the CBI.
The government was reportedly toying with the idea of making public an interim report of the CID in the Assembly.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had on Friday advised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to order a CBI probe into the case that has stirred strong public sentiments, as Ravi had the image of being a gutsy officer who had taken on the sand and land mafia and tax evaders.
"The respondents are restrained from making or publishing any interim report or making any public statement pertaining to investigation being conducted with regard the unnatural death of Ravi, pending disposal of this writ petition," Justice Abdul Nazeer said.
The judge's order came on a petition filed by one Sudhir Reddy, seeking restriction of publication of any interim report or making any public statement pertaining to investigation being conducted by the government through CID.

The respondents in the case are the government represented by Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee. Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP and IGP Omprakash and CID, which is investigating Ravi's death.

But, the Judge clarified "This, however will not prevent the respondents from continuing with the investigation."
Justice Nazeer also summoned the respondents to appear before the court tomorrow for further hearing.
Meanwhile, the chorus for CBI probe into the death of the 35-year-old officer, found hanging in his flat here on March 16, continued with protests by public and opposition parties snowballing.
Sustaining the pressure on the government, Opposition BJP held a day-long dharna here that was attended by party's national Vice President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Union Minister Ananth Kumar, State President Prahlad Joshi, Opposition Leader Jagdish Shettar and others.

People from different walks of life in the city also staged a separate protest demanding justice for Ravi that turned out be purely a public event with no political tag.
Protests were also held by various organisations in Tumakuru, Ravi's native district, and Kolar, where he had become very popular as Deputy Commissioner, among other places.