IAS DK Ravi's death probe: Siddaramaiah was behaving like a dictator, says Yeddyurappa

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa said on Monday that Karanataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been behaving like a dictator by not ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death case of IAS officer DK Ravi.

Speaking to an ANI reporter, Yeddyurappa said, “Karnataka CM was behaving like a dictator, people of state have taught him a lesson, we also demand resignation of State HM.”

“CM referred investigation to CBI, due to pressure created by not only people of State but family of DK Ravi," he added.

The reaction comes shortly after Siddaramaiah today decided to handover DK Ravi's death case to the CBI for investigation. However, the state government had earlier ordered a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the said case.

Before calling for a CBI probe in the case, Siddaramaiah said the government's objective was not to cover up anything and that it is not trying to protect anybody.

"This government wants to give fearless environment for officers to work efficiently. We have faith in our police. I have not criticized the CBI and not said anything against it. The CBI is an institution that works independently, so does the CID," he added.

Earlier in the day, party workers of ABVP launched a protest against the State government over the said death case.

On Saturday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress president G Parameshwara had requested Siddaramaiah to order a CBI inquiry into the case and had said that the truth in this matter should come to the fore without any confusion.

Siddaramaiah is believed to have decided to refer the IAS officer's death probe to the CBI after Sonia Gandhi advised him to do the same.

The IAS officer, posted as Joint Commissioner in Commercial Tax Department, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his apartment by his wife on March 16. The police suspect it to be a case of suicide, though no note was found from around the officer's body.