HL: Dy SP Ganapathy case: Cops chased scribes to plant story

Bengaluru, July 18: The suicide of Mangaluru Dy SP MK Ganapathy continues to rock the Karnataka Assembly and what has in particular fulled this furore is the alleged leak of the preliminary report of the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) that is probing the suicide.

The demand for the resignation of Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister KJ George is only growing at this moment with opposition parties sticking to their guns.

It could be recalled that Ganapathy, before committing suicide in a lodge at Madikeri, spoke to a local TV channel. He alleged pressure from his own department and political bigwigs.

The deceased officer in the interview had named former Home Minister KJ George, senior IPS officers AM Prasad, ADGP (Intelligence) and Pronab Mohanty, IGP, Lokayukta Police, and held them responsible in case anything happened to him.

According to top sources in the police department, this is a case of cops chasing scribes to plant a story meticulously and selectively and not scribes chasing cops for exclusives.

An officer speaking to OneIndia said: "The leak that was reported in mainstream Kannada electronic media on Friday, July 15 was a deliberate move by the CID."The leaked report said the suicide of Ganapathy was not due to personal reasons and hinted at possible pressure from officers of higher rung."

An officer in the investigation team managed this leak and there is a strong reason for this officer to do so. This officer, while he was serving as an Inspector in a police station at Bengaluru, dealt with a case that cost him an 'unfair' suspension. Sources say, "during his tenure in Bengaluru, due to this controversial case, he faced the consequences from the then Home Minister KJ George."

This officer who is currently working with the CID investigation team on Ganapathy's case had a case on his table that was bothering KJ George and his son Rana George. The officer was allegedly lambasted for handling the case without bringing it to the notice of the minister.

A section of officers in the department OneIndia spoke to say: "This episode of the previous case concerning Geroge kept lingering in his mind because of which he underwent harassment. This could be the key reason for the officer to plant the story in the media."

However, other sources tell that Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah has taken this case very seriously and is taking personal interest too. The officer who was allegedly harassed by George was given the task to investigate the case after Siddaramaiah's instruction.

The idea behind CM including this officer in the investigation team is for thorough 'fact finding'. "The CM wants the investigation team to uproot the real reason behind Ganapathy taking the extreme step."

OneIndia News