Bengaluru: An IAS officer, who had taken on the sand mafia known in Kolar district of Karnataka, allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in his room at his official flat in Bengaluru on Monday.
Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Enforcement) D K Ravi (35) had returned home in the morning from office and initial probe indicated it was a case of “suicide prima facie,” Police Commissioner M N Reddi told reporters.
“Inquest proceedings have to take place so that we can come to conclusive understanding of the case but we don’t have any doubt at this point in time in our mind that this is a case of suicide,” he said.
Reddi said no suicide note was found as of now and “prima facie, we don’t see any room for foul play.”
Ravi, a Karnataka cadre officer of 2009 batch, had taken on the sand mafia as Deputy Commissioner of Kolar district and was known to be responsive to people, making him a popular officer.
Ravi, who was Kolar Deputy Commissioner, was posted as Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes in October.
A cloth was used to hang from a fan, Reddi said.
He said the forensic medicine and forensic science team visited the spot and conducted preliminary investigation.
“Initial investigation into the cause of the death indicates that this is a case of suicide prima facie; the investigation into the further details about the nature of the incident and exact time of death, are being conducted.”
Reddi said a special investigation team, headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-East) Rohini Katoch, who is a medical doctor by qualification, had been formed. She will be assisted by forensic medicine, forensic science and regular police team specially selected for it.
“The investigation will be completed as early as possible..,” Reddi said.
“After preliminary investigation, we have come to know that this death should have happened after 11 am.”
“I have spoken to (Police) Commissioner and have asked him to investigate the matter completely,” Karnataka Home Minister K J George told reporters.
“It has to be investigated… All angles will be looked into,” he said, when asked about reports that the officer had faced threats to his life.”He was an upright officer, he was a youth and doing a great work. His death is a great loss to the state,” George said.
Ravi’s work as Kolar Deputy Commissioner, especially action against the sand mafia, had earned him a good name among the people, different organisations and citizens groups who had called a district bandh following his transfer.