The Opposition is sitting all night in the Assembly and the Council on Tuesday to protest the government’s refusal to order a CBI inquiry into the mysterious death of IAS officer D K Ravi. The decision was triggered after the government rejected their demand in both Houses, where proceedings were disrupted through the day.

Ravi, a hero for his daring and upright nature, was found dead on Monday at his flat in Koramangala.

The government, however, ordered a CID probe and promised to find the cause of Ravi’s death before March 31. “We are neither trying to hide anything nor protect anybody. Ravi was a honest and brave officer and even we are pained by his death. We will unravel the truth. Have faith in the Karnataka police,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

Further, he said an interim investigation report would be submitted to the legislature. “Members can decide on what to do if they are not satisfied with the report,” he said.

The Opposition did not relent and continued with its demand for a CBI inquiry. Since Ravi had taken on influential people, including politicians, the state- controlled CID will not be able to unravel the truth, the Opposition argued.

“Considering his personality, it is impossible to even think he could commit suicide. It appears to be a murder and someone is trying to cover it up,” Jagadish Shettar, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said.

HDK Questions Suicide Theory: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy quoted Ravi’s colleagues as saying he had plans to conduct big raids in a day or two.

Kumaraswamy posed several questions in the Assembly suggesting that it was a case of murder and if not, Ravi was driven to his death.

Kumaraswamy, who had visited Ravi’s flat within a couple of hours after news of the officer’s death broke, asked how it was possible that the ceiling fan on which Ravi was said to have hung himself did not have any bends or dents.

The Assembly was adjourned several times as the tussle continued, and the Opposition finally decided to hold a night-long dharna.

Leaders in both Houses questioned City Police Commissioner M N Reddi’s statement describing Ravi’s death as a suicide.

The Opposition alleged Reddi had arrived at a conclusion even before the post-mortem and forensic reports had been filed.

Home Minister K J George defended Reddi. “Based on the evidence collected so far, it appears to be a case of suicide. A special investigation team headed by DCP Rohini Katoch will probe the case,” he said.