Karnataka Govt hiding behind DySP dad's letter, charges Opposition

Bengaluru: Despite claims by the father of the late DySP, M K Ganapati that he had never told the police his son had marital problems, which may have caused him depression, home minister, Dr G Parameshwar reading from the police complaint in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, made an elaborate statement claiming he had, triggering protests by legislators of Opposition BJP and JD(S) in the well of the House.

Soon after the House assembled, the opposition BJP and JD(S) moved an adjournment motion demanding that the issue of the DySP’s suicide be debated immediately.  But the government decided to make a suo-moto statement instead.

Referring to the complaint made, the minister said Mr Kushalappa had told the police that while his son, Mr Ganapati was working in Bengaluru, his wife and children had remained in Mangaluru. However, after his promotion as DySP, he returned to Mangaluru where he was ill-treated by his wife.

The minister quoted Mr Kushalappa as saying, “My son was depressed for some time. Since he had no peace of mind in the family even after going back, he discussed the matter with me. As there was no compatibility in the family, my son may have committed suicide by hanging himself in the lodge.”

Countering the opposition onslaught, the state government also noted there were differences of opinion among members of the dead officer’s family. While one brother and his father Kushalappa had said Mr Ganapati was mentally disturbed due to a family matter, his widow, Mrs Pavana alleged he had committed suicide due to harassment at the workplace.

The minister said Mr Ganapati had come to Vinayaka lodge in Madikeri at around 10.25 am on July 7 before leaving for a private television channel’s office, where he gave an hour long interview. 

Meanwhile, Mr Ganapati's brother and DySP of Ramanagar, M K Thammaiah said his brother was having family problems and was depressed. The case had been handed over to the CID, which was investigating it from all angles, including the allegations levelled by Mr Ganapati in his interview to the television channel, Dr Parameshwar added.

Though Speaker, K B Koliwad, wanted to complete the debate on Monday, but an unrelenting Opposition forced the presiding officer to continue the debate on tomorrow. 

Leading the attack, leader of the Opposition, Jagadish Shettar, charged that the government was trying to divide the family and demanded Dr Parameshwar to withdraw his statement. When the Speaker said he could not issue such directions, the Opposition staged a protest.