K''taka stays transfer of CID boss probing IAS officer’s death

Shubhadeep Choudhury

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Tribune News Service                                                                    

Bengaluru, March 19

Bowing to popular pressure, the Karnataka government on Thursday stayed the transfer of IPS officer Pranab Mohanty to Lokayukta’s office enabling Mohanty to continue as the IGP, CID, so that he can oversee the probe into the unnatural death of IAS officer D K Ravi.

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Mohanty’s transfer order issued yesterday, soon after the investigation into Ravi’s death was handed over to the CID, had triggered off a furore with suspicions having been raised from various quarters who felt Mohanty’s removal would adversely affect the probe. BJP leader and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar was among the opposition leaders who openly criticised the step of removing Mohanty at such a crucial moment.

However, following a meeting of the state cabinet here today, it was announced that Mohanty would continue as the IGP, CID.

It remains to be seen if the decision to bring back Mohanty to CID can pacify those who want CBI to investigate the death of Ravi, who was known for his honesty and integrity and took strong steps against the sand and land mafias. 

The 1979-born officer’s body was found hanging in the bedroom of his Bengaluru residence on Monday. While police say that prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide, Ravi’s kin, his many admirers, civil society activists, others having a public persona and opposition politicians want further probe into the incident by the CBI.

Karnataka Home Minister K J George, however, made it clear after the cabinet meeting today that the case would be probed by the state CID only.

Earlier today, Karnataka legislative assembly was adjourned till Monday amid uproar by the opposition lawmakers over the state government not allowing a CBI probe into the death of the IAS officer.

ABVP activists also held a protest in the city demanding CBI probe into Ravi's death. They clashed with police when they were not allowed to march towards Vidhana Soudha (the seat of power).

Protests were also held at Kolar, about 100km from here, and Tumakuru, about 70km from here, against the state government for not allowing CBI probe into Ravi's death.

Ravi, who hailed from Tumakuru district, was deputy commissioner of Kolar where he became popular for taking action against sand and land mafias.