Protests Turn Violent in Karnataka Over IAS Officer's Death; Rajnath Says Open to CBI Probe

Bengaluru/New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament today that he is ready to order a CBI investigation into the death of 36-year-old IAS officer DK Ravi if the Karnataka Chief Minister recommends it. But in the face of intense pressure, the Congress government in the state is adamant that the case will not be investigated by the central agency.

"The Karnataka chief minister said that in the next two days a few more reports will come out. After that a decision can be taken. But if the CM recommends I am ready to call for a CBI investigation into the IAS officer's death," Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha.

Sources told NDTV that he also spoke to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and advised him to opt for a CBI inquiry.

Across Karnataka today there were protests, some violent, and over 13 lakh people, including the state's additional chief secretary have a signed a petition demanding a CBI probe.

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But emerging from a Cabinet meeting this evening, the state's Home Minister K J George said the issue was not discussed. "Whatever decision has been taken on the floor of the House, we will stand by that," he said, reiterating that the state's Criminal Investigation Department or CID is well-equipped to handle the DK Ravi case.

Mr Ravi was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his Bengaluru apartment on Monday. The police have so far maintained that it is "prima facie a case of suicide," a premise questioned by many including his family and friends.

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Students from the University of Agricultural Sciences today gathered at Freedom Park. "It should be a CBI inquiry because we have seen Ravi from long back, he is one of our seniors and we know him very well. And he is not the person who can (commit) suicide," a protestor, Neetha Raj, told NDTV.

Mr Ravi's father-in-law Hanumantharayappa has alleged that the officer had told him he was "being targeted" by a particular group.

DK Ravi had taken on the sand mafia as the District Collector of Kolar. Last year, he was deputed to the Commercial Tax department and was investigating real estate majors and big jewellers for alleged tax evasion. He had conducted several big raids.