Karnataka govt forms judicial commission into Deputy SP's suicide

Bengaluru, Jul 17: The Karnataka government today constituted a judicial commission to inquire into the alleged suicide of DySP M K Ganapathy, which has raised a huge political storm.

The commission would be headed by former Karnataka High Court judge K N Keshavanarayana, with its terms of reference including inquiring into the "circumstances and events" leading to the "unnatural death" of Ganapathy at a lodge in Madikeri in Kodagu district.

The government has issued a notification in this regard saying the commission would submit its report within six months.

Coming under intense attack from BJP and JDS, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the judicial probe on Wednesday last in the Assembly, but not happy with it the Opposition has been stalling proceedings in the House demanding a CBI probe and resignation of Minister K J George.

With the government refusing to budge on its demand for a CBI probe, both BJP and JDS have begun a day-night protest in the House insisting on meeting their demands and vowed to continue it when the Assembly reconvenes on Monday.

Ganapathy (51) was found hanging from the ceiling fan in a room at a lodge in Madikeri on July 7, prior to which he gave an interview to a local TV channel, saying the minister and A M Prasad (IG-Intelligence) and Pranab Mohanty (IGP- Lokayukta) would be responsible "if anything happens to me." The case is currently being investigated by CID.

PTI