CBI examines ex-Union minister KH Muniyappa, MLA in DK Ravi death inquiry

 CBI has examined former Union minister KH Muniyappa and an independent MLA R Varthur Prakash from Kolar in connection with its probe into the death of IAS officer DK Ravi on May 16.

Congress leader Muniyappa and Prakash were examined on Thursday in Bangalore by a CBI team to know the circumstances in which Ravi was working, sources said. They said the examination was necessary to get clues about the circumstances in which Ravi was working and whether there was any pressure on him while he was posted as Deputy Commissioner in Kolar district where he reportedly took cudgels against the sand mafia.

The quizzing became important as Muniyappa, who was MP from Kolkar Lok Sabha seat, and Prakash were regularly in touch with Ravi in connection with various issues of their constituency. "It was a routine examination and they were not quizzed as accused. We have to know the circumstances in which Ravi was working," said an official.

The sources said that the probe is still going on and the agency is awaiting expert panel report from All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Ravi, 2009 batch IAS officer from Karnataka cadre, who was posted as Additional Commissioner, Commercial Tax (Enforcement), was found dead at his residence in Bengaluru on March 16. His body was found hanging at his official residence.

During his tenure at Kolar till October last year, Ravi had started a drive against sand mafia which received huge public support turning him into a kind of celebrity. His mysterious death snow-balled into a major controversy but Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah initially refused to seek a CBI probe into the case.

However, as the pressure build up, the case was handed over to the central investigative agency which registered a preliminary inquiry on May 16.