The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, Deputy Director General (UIDAI) Pronab Mohanty and State Intelligence chief A.M. Prasad, charging them for abetting the suicide of Dy. SP M.K. Ganapathy in July last year.
Nehal Ganapathy, son of Ganapathy, alleged in his complaint that his father had committed suicide at a lodge in Madikeri due to alleged harassment by the trio. Though he filed a complaint with the jurisdictional police, the police failed to take it up. He then approached the court and got an order issued, directing the jurisdictional court to register an FIR.
Meanwhile, the family members approached the High Court seeking CBI inquiry into the case, but the Karnataka High Court rejected the plea. M.K. Kushalappa, father of Ganapathy, then approached the Supreme Court, which directed a CBI probe. The court observed, “There are certain startling facts in the case. Whether it is murder or suicide, it is required to be investigated in a fair manner.”
Following this, the CBI-Chennai took up a case against the trio on October 14, under section 306 (abetment to suicide) and Section 34 (common intention). Meanwhile, a team of officials visited the State police and sought details pertaining to the case. The officials met CID officials and the jurisdictional Madikeri police .
The BJP has yet again demanded the resignation of Mr. George in the light of the case. The State unit of the BJP had held a one-day satyagraha demanding his resignation. BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa had threatened an indefinite strike demanding his resignation, setting a deadline of September 26, but had not followed it through. Mr. Yeddyurappa said the party would hold protests throughout the State on Friday seeking the resignation of Mr. George.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who held a brief meeting with Mr. George and other senior Ministers, is learnt to have decided to stand by the Minister and not seek his resignation.
