Protesters Clamour for CBI Probe into IAS Officer's Mysterious Death in Bengaluru

Ravi who belonged to the IAS batch of 2009 was found hanging from the ceiling fan of his apartment at Prestige St. John's Wood Apartment complex in Chikka Adugodi on Monday.

The mysterious death of IAS officer D K Ravi has sparked outrage among people who are demanding a CBI probe into his death, as it is suspected that he may have been killed for taking on the land mafia for tax evasion.

The 36-year-old, 2009 batch officer, who in his earlier stint as deputy commissioner in Kolar district and in his latest posting as joint commissioner of commercial taxes (enforcement) in Bengaluru, was considered an honest officer who went after tax evaders and even collected Rs 100 crore in outstanding tax dues from builders in Bengaluru.

Angry protesters comprising volunteers from the Aam Aadmi Party and members of a pro-Kannada group Jai Karnataka demanded a CBI probe, said Hindustan Times.

"He was one of the best officers in the IAS cadre and had taken on several powerful people fearlessly," said P. Manivannnan, senior IAS officer and Chief Project Officer, Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project.

However, the Bengaluru police said initial evidence suggests that it was suicide and there was no "room for foul play."

"Prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide. His body was found hanging from a ceiling fan," Bengaluru police commissioner MN Reddi told reporters. He added that a special team has been formed to investigate the death.

Reddi also said that no suicide note was found from the place where he was found dead.