Karnataka govt to handle situation after death of IAS officer: MHA

New Delhi, Mar 17: As the death of an IAS officer who had taken on the sand mafia sparked protests in Karnataka, the Centre on Tuesday said it was the responsibility of the state government to handle the situation as it has no role to play.

"The state government should handle the situation. It is difficult for the central government to intervene in the functioning of the state government because they (officers) are directly related to the state," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters here.

The Minister, however, said the issue was serious and it was raised even in Parliament today.

"The matter is serious and has been raised in the House. If I say something, then they will say that the Centre is unnecessarily intervening in the affairs of the state government. So, I will wait for the state to respond," he said.

Protests marked by stray incidents of stone-pelting erupted during a bandh in Kolar district today over the death of the IAS officer, D K Ravi who allegedly committed suicide.

Ravi had taken on the sand mafia as Deputy Commissioner in Kolar before being posted as Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Enforcement) in Bengaluru.

Refusing to concede the Opposition demand for a CBI probe, Karnataka government today announced a CID inquiry into the death of the upright IAS officer.

PTI