File Photo: Opposition leaders stage a protest outside the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru demanding CBI probe into the death of IAS Officer DK Ravi. (AFP Photo)
Protests continued for the sixth consecutive day in different parts of Karnataka on Sunday demanding a CBI probe into the mysterious death of an IAS officer, as the state government is all set to make its stand known in the Assembly today.
Sustaining the pressure on the state government, Opposition BJP held a day-long dharna in Bengaluru that was attended by party's national Vice President and former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, Union Minister Ananth Kumar, State President Prahlad Joshi, Opposition Leader Jagdish Shettar and others.
People from different walks of life staged a protest demanding justice for 35-year-old DK Ravi who was found dead in his apartment under mysterious circumstances. Police said prima facie it was a case of suicide which has been vehemently contested by his family and others.
Protests were also held by various organisations in Tumakuru, Mr Ravi's native district, and Kolar, where he had become very popular as Deputy Commissioner.
Mr Shettar said, "We have already stalled the proceedings in both Assembly and Council; if the Chief Minister doesn't announce a CBI inquiry (tomorrow) we will continue stalling the entire proceedings."
He said, "we have already declared that from March 24 we will start a padyatra from Ravi's village (to Bengaluru), so our agitation will continue and we will continue to stall the proceedings of the House until they order a CBI inquiry."
Mr Shettar alleged that chief minister Siddaramaiah is hesitant to hand over the case to CBI with an intention to protect "vested interests."
Stating that the opposition would withdraw its protest only after government announces a CBI probe, Deputy Leader of opposition R Ashok said, "we will not accept anything on the CID inquiry; we are not ready to hear about it."
There has been a clamour for CBI probe from Opposition parties and Mr Ravi's family. The state government has handed over the probe to CID.
Facing increasing heat over the demand for a CBI probe, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on Saturday asserted that government was not protecting anybody and would make its stand known in the Assembly on Monday.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi had on Friday advised Siddaramaiah to order a CBI probe into the case that has stirred strong public sentiments, as Mr Ravi had the image of being a gutsy officer who had taken on the sand and land mafia, and tax evaders.
Meanwhile speaking to a TV channel, Mr Ravi's father-in-law Hanumantharayappa reiterated family's wish that the case be transferred to CBI.
He said, "Our only intention is that truth has to come out. I have come to know that government has decided to hand over the probe to CBI. Once the state government has decided about it I don't think there is a need for interim or a final report (CID)."
"Truth has to come out, there should be no attempt to malign the name of my son-in-law who was an honest an upright officer, this is the wish of the people of the state as well, Mr Hanumantharayappa said.
"If complete truth has to come out and if the state government has decided about CBI inquiry we don't want any interim or final report (CID); let government directly transfer all documents and announce CBI probe in Vidhana Sabha on Monday. This will will at-least do some sort of justice," he added.