NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday questioned Congress leader and former Union minister KH Muniyappa and an independent MLA from Kolar – R Varthur Prakash in connection with the mysterious death of IAS officer D K Ravi on March 16, sources in the CBI have told TOI.

CBI decided to quiz the Kolar Lok Sabha MP Muniyappa as he used to have regular “run-ins” with Ravi, who was posted as deputy commissioner in Kolar district till October last year.

The 2009 batch Karnataka-cadre IAS officer was posted in Kolar district from August 2013 to October 2014 and was known for running a crusade against the illegal sand mafia there. He had almost become a public figure in the district having an image of a pro-public administrator and launching of innovative reforms like conducting of ‘revenue’ and Podi adalats, which were later recognized and implemented in other districts by the Karnataka government.

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Ravi had also taken on encroachments on government lands and had reportedly ensured checks on quality of building materials for public property like roads. In fact, his zeal in the district was considered one of the reasons for his transfer from Kolar in October 2014. Ravi was a hero for many in Kolar which was amply evident when many people and especially hundreds of students protested on the streets after he was found dead on March 16 this year.

The source said that “Muniyappa didn’t like D K Ravi working in Kolar”.

“We learnt through different sources and questioning of some people before that Muniyappa had heated arguments with D K Ravi on several occasion as the MP didn’t like his working style in his constituency,” he added. Similarly, the local MLA - Prakash, wasn’t in good terms with Ravi and so it was decided to question them both to know more, said the CBI source.

When called on his mobile phone, Varthur Prakash refused to comment and disconnected the call. Muniyappa couldn’t be contacted on his official mobile number for his comments.

TOI has learnt that both were questioned in Bengaluru by CBI officers.

“Since we are eliminating all the theories including murder, abetment to suicide and a possible land deal, mafia links and others one by one, we have questioned many people in departments Ravi worked with; some employees in his office, his friends and relatives. It was also necessary to question these two politicians, whose name was taken by several witnesses for not having very good relations with the IAS officer,” said a CBI officer.

The officer, however, clarified that their questioning doesn’t mean that they have anything to do with the death. “We wanted to remove all our doubts as forensic reports, our investigation and AIIMS doctors have already concluded that it is a case of suicide,” said the officer.

36-year-old Ravi’s mysterious death had created a major political controversy in the state with many theories doing the rounds including talk of a political conspiracy, after which CM Siddaramaiah handed over the probe to CBI under pressure. Initially, the state police also goofed up in its probe and tried to plant false stories about D K Ravi and his friendship with a female IAS officer.

However, the CBI probe has not suggested anything ‘unusual’ in D K Ravi’s messages to his female friend.

The agency will finalize its probe in a few weeks.