Father of KAS officer's driver, who accused Janardhan Reddy of harassment in suicide note, demands CBI probe

KC Ramesh, a driver working for a Karnataka Administrative Service officer, allegedly committed suicide on Wednesday and in his suicide note accused mining baron G Janardhan Reddy and the officer of harassing him.

Ramesh's father, Chikka Humbala Gowda today requested the state government to hand over the case to the CBI, saying that his son was not someone who could take this extreme step without any pressure. Gowda added that it was stress and pressure that made his son commit suicide. He also went on to say that when his son left home, he did not take his food even properly. "We want the truth to come out. If it was his mistake, then we will accept it but if it was the mistake of others, then we want them to be taken to task," he said.

An FIR was registered on Wednesday in Maddur taluk of Mandya district against both, KAS officer Bheema Nayak and his driver Mohammed under IPC section 306. Mandya SP, CH Sudheer Kumar Reddy informed that teams have been formed to look into the case. He added that the matter has been discussed with the ACB also and they will look into the details mentioned in the suicide note.

'IT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF MY COMPLAINT'

After Reddy's daughter's wedding made headlines, a human rights activist T Narasimha Murthy had filed a complaint with the directorate general of Income Tax (investigations), questioning the extravagant nature of the marriage. In his complaint, Murthy had said that the arrangements raised eyebrows, while 'people are standing in long queues after the demonetisation.'

Also read: Janardhan Reddy converted Rs 100 crore into white: Karnataka officer's driver in suicide note

The IT department after days had conducted raids in Ballari and sought Reddy's income details. "The suicide letter has been found now by the police and it is being very supportive in the investigation. In these types of cases, the death declaration is very important. On the basis of this death declaration, at least now the Income Tax officials must act swiftly," Murthy said.

CONGRESS DEMANDS CBI PROBE

Former MLC and KPCC spokesperson Prakash Rathod has demanded a court monitored CBI enquiry into the suicide of the driver. He questioned the usefulness of the demonetisation drive of PM Narendra Modi while former minister Reddy allegedly spent more than Rs 500 crore on his daughter's wedding, just days after Rs 500 and 1000 currency notes were scrapped. "We want to know where did Reddy get this money from. We have always said that the BJP leaders and workers knew about demonetisation before it was announced, they converted their black money into white. So, what is the BJP going to do about this? What is the prime minister and finance minister going to do about this? We demand a CBI enquiry into this," adding that IT notices have been sent to Reddy but, "What was his response, what is the outcome of all this? This clearly means they are all hand in glove."

BALL IN THE COURT OF SIDDARAMAIAH

The BJP is feeling the heat over the issue due to Reddy's past association with the party that has come out in the open. Senior BJP leader Anwar Manippady commenting on the incident said, "Bheema Nayak is an officer working for the state government. They have the police, CID and administration under them and it is for the chief minister and his team to investigate and find out the truth."

Also read: Demonetisation: New notes worth Rs 70 crore, 100 kg gold seized in Chennai

He also went on to add that the KAS officer is seen at the Vidhana Soudha, every second day and also at the CM's office. "He is close to everybody at the Vidhana Soudha and to every minister. Why is he at the Vidhana Soudha almost every day?' questioned Manipaddy.