Updated

Bengaluru, Mar 16 (Agencies): Young IAS officer D K Ravi, posted as Karnataka's additional commissioner, commercial tax, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his St John's Wood apartment in Kormangla, Bengaluru.

His body was found hanging from the ceiling at his apartment. The Incident occured at Madiwala police station limits.

Police commissioner M N Reddi, officials of the commercial tax office and lawmakers Ramesh Kumar and Sampangi from Kolar district rushed to Ravi's flat in upscale Koramangala in eastern suburb.

When Ravi's wife learnt that he did not go to office till lunch time and was not taking calls since noon, two-three department officials went to the apartment late afternoon to check if he was at home.

"As there was no response from inside, the flat was opened with a duplicate key his wife had," Reddi said.

The officials and Ravi's wife were shocked to see him hanging with a piece of cloth tied to the fan.

Ravi had returned home in the morning from office and initial probe indicated it was a case of "suicide prima facie," M N Reddi told reporters.

"Inquest proceedings have to take place so that we can come to conclusive understanding of the case but we don't have any doubt at this point in time in our mind that this is a case of suicide," he said.

Reddi said no suicide note was found as of now and "prima facie, we don't see any room for foul play."

A cloth was used to hang from a fan, Reddi said.

He said the forensic medicine and forensic science team visited the spot and conducted preliminary investigation.

"Initial investigation into the cause of the death indicates that this is a case of suicide prima facie; the investigation into the further details about the nature of the incident and exact time of death, are being conducted."

Reddi said a special investigation team, headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-East) Rohini Katoch, who is a medical doctor by qualification, had been formed. She will be assisted by forensic medicine, forensic science and regular police team specially selected for it.

"Rohini and Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar visited the apartment for studying the scene of incident. The special team will investigate the nature and time of Ravi's death though we have no doubt at this point of time this is a case of suicide," Reddi reiterated.

"The investigation will be completed as early as possible..," Reddi said.

"After preliminary investigation, we have come to know that this death should have happened after 11 am."

"I have spoken to (Police) Commissioner and have asked him to investigate the matter completely," Karnataka Home Minister K J George told reporters.

"It has to be investigated... All angles will be looked into," he said, when asked about reports that the officer had faced threats to his life."He was an upright officer, he was a youth and doing a great work. His death is a great loss to the state," George said.

Ravi had served as the DC of Kolar. He had run a crusade against illegal sand mining. He had also exposed several caes of tax evasion by top builders. He had recovered several encroached lands and lakes in Kolar.

In October last year, Ravi's transfer from Kolar district had triggered protests. 

The 36-year-old Ravi was recently transferred to the state's commercial tax office here from Kolar where he was the deputy commissioner.

Born on June 10, 1979, DK Ravi became an IAS officer in 2009. Home Minister K J George is taking stock of the situation. Top politicos have also rushed to the spot.

With PTI Inputs