Updated
Bengaluru, Apr 6 (PTI): Relenting to CBI's insistence, Karnataka government today removed the three-month deadline set for the probe by the central agency into the "unnatural" death of an upright IAS officer which had sparked public outrage.
Within hours of CBI's refusal to accept the state's request for a time-bound probe into the alleged suicide of D K Ravi, Karnataka Home Department issued a fresh order, stating that the agency probe the matter and "take necessary action at the earliest," doing away with the three-month timeframe.
Rejecting Karnataka government's request, CBI had said there is no provision in law to complete investigations in a given period and sent a communication to the state seeking a fresh notification to take over the probe in Ravi's death.
According to CBI sources, once a fresh notification is received, the agency would examine whether to take over the probe or not, while noting that the three-month timeline was not according to law.
Karnataka Home Department's fresh order also noted that CBI in its letter has informed that the government may renotify the case without any conditionality. "CBI shall investigate the matter and take necessary action at the earliest," the fresh order said, adding that the department concerned and officials should hand over the data, information or records as and when required by the central agency and cooperate with it in the probe.
In New Delhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in response to CBI's refusal, "they have sent it back, saying that do not put the condition like that. Again we will send it to CBI."
35-year-old Ravi, who had taken on the sand and land mafia and ordered crackdown on tax evaders, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his apartment here on March 16, with police saying it was prima facie a case of suicide. The case was initially handed over to Criminal Investigation Department.
Ravi's family refused to accept the suicide theory and staged a protest, insisting on a CBI probe, with the Opposition parties also raising the pitch for it, as public anger spilled onto the streets with protests across the state.
After growing clamour and a nudge from Congress President Sonia Gandhi, an initially reluctant Chief Minister announced in the Assembly government's decision to hold a CBI probe, saying it was being done "respecting the feelings of Ravi's parents and public."
Earlier Report
Bengaluru: CBI refuses to probe D K Ravi case, cites conditions put by Karnataka govt
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 6: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday April 6 refused to probe the mysterious death of IAS officer D K Ravi, apparently because of conditions put by the Karnataka government.
Sources said that the Karnataka government had laid down the condition that the probe should be completed within three months, which the CBI rejected.
The CBI has said only the Supreme Court or a high court could order a time-bound investigation and not any government.
Sources said that the CBI, which has returned the probe order copy, wants the Karnataka government to issue fresh orders without any condition.
CBI sources said that a communication has been sent to Department of Personnel and Training requesting for a fresh notification to takeover probe in Ravi's death.
They said once fresh notification is received, the agency will examine the matter whether to takeover probe or not.
Reacting to the development, chief minister Siddaramaiah said that he will send fresh notification to the CBI to probe the case. The Congress party said it was left for the CBI to decide.
Meanwhile, sources revealed that the groundwork done by the CBI has suggested that D K Ravi's death was prima facie a case of suicide, hence it is uncertain if the CBI would probe the case at all even if fresh orders are issued.
D K Ravi was found hanging at his flat on March 16, after which CID probe was ordered. His family suspected foul play and together with the opposition BJP in Karnataka, demanded a CBI investigation. After much pressure from all quarters, chief minister Siddaramaiah handed over the case to CBI a week later.
More details awaited.