Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has reportedly decided to  entrust the investigation into the case of suspicious death of IAS Officer D.K.Ravi to the CBI, following widespread demand in this regard from various corners.

Sources in the Home department told Newskarnataka.com that the Chief Minister was likely to make the formal announcement in this regard after tabling the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) preliminary report before the  legislative assembly during the on-going budget session on March 23,Monday. Another source has revealed that the CM may announce a CBI probe if the opposition does not accept the CID preliminary report.

It has been gathered that the CID report has zeroed in ‘purely personal reasons’ behind Ravi’s death and  has reportedly termed it  a case of suicide. CID has been preparing its primary fact finding report under the guidance of IGP Pronab Mohanty.

It may be recalled here that  Ravi’s parents have been vociferously demanding CBI probe and even threatened suicide if their demands are not met. Even the ongoing state-wide protests have  made the CM  think about referring the case to the CBI. Several Congress Vokkaliga MPs also want CBI probe in this case as they are in fear of losing Vokkaliga votes, as incidentally D.K. Ravi, belongs to same community. BJP’s former deputy chief minister R Ashok and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy are also reportedly trying to use  this issue to pursue   their political interests.

 The CID report- which will be read out in the assembly  is likely to  mention about  the personal reasons behind Ravi’s suicide and would also refer to the alleged  ‘one-way love’ angle in the case. It may also detail Ravi’s telephonic conversation and messages to his woman IAS batch-mate. It is likely to focus on the depressed state of mind of Ravi and his confusion over handling his personal issue with his family members. The chief minister though has   found facts in the preliminary reports, has reportedly decided to bow before the public demand.

Why CM delayed it?
It is being observed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah delayed transferring the case to the CBI by mulling future course of action by the union government led by the BJP.  His close circles think that BJP is trying to take political advantage of IAS officer’s death and the BJP will use it against the Congress government of the state, if the case is transferred to CBI.

According to sources in the CM’s office, CM is fully convinced with the CID probe, but worried by the massive outcry of public demanding CBI probe.  He wanted to protect the ‘personal interest’ of the deceased and did not wish  make Ravi’s  telephone calls to his woman batch-mate public. But the circumstances  have now forced the government to present the personal angle  of this case in the public domain.

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