Young IAS officer DK Ravi who exposed tax frauds and took on land mafia found dead in Bengaluru

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The News Minute| March 16, 2015| 9.20 pm IST

An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, DK Ravi, was found dead in his apartment at Koramangala in Bengaluru this evening. Police say it is a case of suicide, Ravi was found hanging.

Ravi, was posted as Additional Commissioner Commercial Tax (Enforcement) in Bengaluru in October 2014.

Bengaluru police Commissioner MN Reddi said that no suicide note was found. "As per the investigation no suicide note has been found so far. He was found hanging. He committed suicide this morning."

The young officer from the 2009 batch with a degree in Agriculture Science had a reputation of being upright and fearless.

"Though we learnt about death late in the evening from his family members, Ravi could have committed suicide anytime after 11 a.m. , as he did not respond to calls since then. He was alone at home at that time," Reddi said.

He said a three-member special investigation team headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-East) Rohini Katoch has been set up to investigate the case.

When Ravi's wife learnt that he did not go to office till lunch time and was not taking calls since noon, two-three department officials went to the apartment late afternoon to check if he was at home.

"As there was no response from inside, the flat was opened with a duplicate key his wife had," Reddi said.

The officials and Ravi's wife were shocked to see him hanging with a piece of cloth tied to the fan. Reddi said a forensic science team had visited the spot and conducted preliminary investigation for clues.

"Rohini and Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar visited the apartment for studying the scene of incident. The special team will investigate the nature and time of Ravi's death though we have no doubt at this point of time this is a case of suicide," Reddi reiterated.

Police will check Ravi's mobile records, entries in the reception office of the apartment, which is in a gated community and footage of the CCTV cameras in the vicinity to find out who all visited the place in the day earlier or recently.

D.K. Ramesh, his brother said, “He had a lot of dreams and wanted to achieve great heights."

Exclusive: DK Ravi's death: He called me last week to help pin down two builders, whistle-blower tells TNM

Recent raids by DK Ravi

In February, an Enforcement Directorate team lead by D Ravi had raided real estate giants like Nitesh Estates Private Ltd, other companies like Rajesh Exports Ltd (REL) and the outlets of its retail arm, Shubh Jewellers.

Last year, protests had broken out in Kolar over his sudden transfer. Then Deputy Commissioner D K Ravi was transferred as the Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Enforcement), prompting protests in the district.

Protests in Kolar

Ravi was widely considered by the people in Kolar district to be a strict officer who took on the land mafia in clearing encroachments and also an upright officer who ensured discipline among his staff.

The DC’s actions then reportedly put pressure on the ruling Congress government in the state from the real estate lobby.

Some associations in Kolar have called for a bandh on Tuesday.

Was Ravi under threat?

Police sources say they are investigating threats that Ravi may have received in recent times.

Picture from DK Ravi's Facebook profile

Inputs IANS

Read Be an agent of change is what DK Ravi IAS told the people of Kolar