Bengaluru: Advice from the Congress high command and the fear of a full-fledged caste war against the state government seem to have forced Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah to climb down and decide to order a CBI probe into IAS officer, D.K. Ravi’s death.
Mr Siddaramaiah after a meeting with senior officers, took this decision, sources in the government said. The CM is likely to make an official statement in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Sources from Delhi told Deccan Chronicle that AICC President Sonia Gandhi who had received reports about Ravi's death, spoke to Mr Siddaramaiah Thursday night, and advised him to refer the case to the CBI. Mrs Gandhi decided on this course of action after a delegation of Karnataka MPs led by Mr D.K. Suresh and Mr Muddahanume Gowda met the Congress president and apprised her about the need to hand over this case to CBI following public outrage across the nation.
Mrs Gandhi, who gave the delegation a patient hearing, immediately sought a report from the Pradesh Congress Committee. Later she spoke to Mr Siddaramaiah on handing over the case to CBI, sources said.
Meanwhile in the officers meeting, the police and intelligence officers highlighted two issues, which may pose a threat to law and order in the state. The precarious health of Ravi’s parents should be a matter of concern. If something happens to them, law and order may go out of control, they cautioned.
Similarly, the Congress government turned defensive when it saw pontiffs of Vokkaliga maths joining the agitation seeking a CBI probe on Friday. Three pontiffs took part in the agitation organised by the Vokkaligara Sangh. Mr Siddaramaiah too felt that this may lead to a full-fledged caste war in the state. Therefore, he had to change his mind, sources explained.
Mrs Gandhi was briefed about the implications of not handing over Ravi's case to the CBI as both BJP and JD(S) had exploited the issue to attack the 22-month-old Siddaramaiah Government. Besides, the Congress may have to pay a heavy price in the coming civic elections if they failed to act on people's sentiments, said sources. “There is no harm in handing over the case to CBI as it will act as a confidence building measure and boost the morale of bureaucrats,” they said.
Condolence meets in city turn into protests, thousands attend
Two condolence meetings in remembrance of IAS officer Mr D.K. Ravi turned into protest marches, which urged the government to hand over the investigation into the death of the officer to CBI.
The second meeting took a dramatic turn when parents of Mr D K Ravi were brought to Freedom Park, where seers of three maths and political leaders including Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, Mr R Ashok, Mr Cheluvarayaswamy, Mr V. Somanna participated.
The first meeting was organised at Kamakshipalya by JD(S) legislator Mr Gopaliah, where a padayatra was taken to Navarang Talkies, urging the government to hand over the investigation to CBI.
The second meeting was organised at Vokkaligara Sangha in VV Puram, from where a protest march was taken to Freedom Park. Vokkaliga Sangha President Mr Appaji Gowda announced that the Sangha would donate Rs 10 lakh to the family members of Mr Ravi, besides offering a job to his family member in the Sangha.
