CBI should probe IAS officer’s death

It is curious that the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka dragged its feet somewhat in formalising the handing over of the inquiry into the death of an IAS officer to the CBI. The compelling circumstances had even prompted Congress party president Sonia Gandhi to advise the Congress chief minister to hand over the probe to the premier Central agency, which might be done on Monday after the state Assembly is informed. As a popular leader who is a shrewd judge of the public mood, Mr K. Siddaramaiah may have acted earlier if not for wishing to get to the bottom of the issue first before committing to a federal probe. It appears he has come round to the view that the national perceptions of the incident are best dealt with through an investigation by the Central bureau.

There were so many intriguing angles to the circumstances of the death that the public expected the government to institute a fair, unbiased and time-bound probe. The manner in which the post-death events were handled allowed some space for hard politicking by the Opposition JD(S) that flung wild charges to add to the enormous speculation the death set off. An invitation to the CBI to investigate will take away the element of bias to be perceived as the officer may have been investigating any political links to the real estate and allied businesses. Any concerns about the CID falling within the ambit of the home minister’s portfolio could be addressed only by the probe being handed to an outside agency. Even the most diligent investigative officers could succumb to pressure from their political bosses. Their conclusions, however well fortified by facts, would be suspect in the mind of the public, particularly since the officer had built a reputation of having taken on the sand, land and real estate mafias. The investigators jumped quickly to the conclusion that it was a case of suicide, but the facts might still bear this out as the case appears to have been further complicated by the officer’s personal life which may have involved an IAS colleague in unrequited love or otherwise. The CBI investigation should cover all angles, including the officer’s personal life, because it might have a bearing on the case.

Such officers of the new generation, whose ideals are yet to be dulled by the enormity of the system, which militates against anyone rocking the boat, may have particular problems when dealing with entrenched businesses. An unnatural death like this calls not only for a probe but also some introspection among the ruling class on systemic weaknesses in the exploitation of the country’s precious resources without the least concern for the law and public welfare.

The CID’s conclusions, however well grounded would be suspect in the eyes of the public, since

the officer had taken on the sand, land and real estate mafias