IAS officer DK Ravi's death: JDS releases mysterious tape, ignites controversy

Bengaluru, March 21: Igniting the controversy over IAS officer DK Ravi's death, HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday, March 21 released a tape.

After releasing the audio clipping, Kumaraswamy claimed that he would expose the circumstances that led to the transfer of IAS officer DK Ravi.

The JDS leader said that the audio tape would reveal the contradictory statement by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on DK Ravi's transfer from Kolar to Bengaluru.

The tape reportedly contained a telephonic conversion between an MLA from Kolar district, where Ravi was posted as Deputy Commissioner, with an official working under him regarding release of seize sand.

In the tape, the MLA is heard putting pressure on the lower officer, threatening him to release four lorries of seized illegal sand and also speaking about the transfer of Ravi from Kolar district in the next two days.

The way in which the MLA threatened the lower official "it is anybody's guess Ravi was transferred because of (sand) mafia," Kumaraswamy alleged.

CM Siddaramaiah earlier had claimed that he had issued Ravi's transfer order from Kolar to Bengaluru following the request by the IAS officer's father-in-law who is a Congress leader.

The JDS leader, however, said, "The Chief Minister in the assembly had said that the father-in-law of Ravi and an MLA from Kolar district had requested transfer of the deceased IAS officer."

"He misled the House to safeguard the interests of the sand mafia and land looters. This Chief Minister transferred the (Kolar) Deputy Commissioner for their (sand and land mafia) protection," Kumaraswamy added while releasing the audio file.

Throwing more light on the purported telephonic conversation, Kumaraswamy said, "The MLA was threatening the lower officer, and when he was threatening him he said that the cabinet meeting is there and on (March) 14th this Deputy Commissioner will be transferred."

Meanwhile, Hanumanthrayappa, father-in-law of Ravi, said there were no personal problems between his family and Ravi's, and requested people not to spread falsehood.

"As the head of his family at least I could have sensed something if anything is there. There is no personal problem between my family and his family. So it is a falsehood. Whoever is spreading falsehood, I request once again not to do it," he added.

35-year-old Ravi earlier on March 16 was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his official residence in South Bengaluru.

Bengaluru Police suspected it to be prima facie a case of suicide. However, opposition leaders in Karnataka and others believe that Ravi was murdered as his death might have helped many influential and powerful people.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)