Refusing to budge from their tough stand, the opposition members chose to stage a night-long demonstration in the state legislature (Vidhan Soudha) till the government relented and former Home Minister K.J. George resigned for abetting Ganapathi’s suicide and as he was named in an interview the DSP gave to a local news channel on that fateful day.
Advertisement
“I have ordered a CID inquiry into the death of the DSP (Ganapathy) after I was briefed on Thursday night about the unfortunate incident at Madikeri. We insist that KJ George resigns and an FIR be filed against three people mentioned by deputy SP Ganpathi”, BJP leader Jagadish Shettar told media here.
Refusing to give into the BJP’s demand for a CBI probe, Siddaramaiah had said the case would be probed by a judicial commission headed by a retired High Court judge, even while dismissing the call for George’s resignation, saying there was not even an iota of evidence against him.
As soon as the Assembly met, Opposition members entered the well of the House and raised slogans against the government for its “adamant” stand in protecting George.
As the ruckus continued, Speaker K B Koliwad adjourned the house for some time.
“He (Ganapathy) declared that if anything happened to him, former state home minister K.J. George, Lokayuktha (ombudsman) IGP Pranab Mohanty and ADGP (intelligence) A.M. Prasad would be responsible”.
Coming out in full support of George, Siddaramaiah said the minister had not indulged in politics of revenge as alleged by Ganapathy, in his political career. “Let the CID complete its probe and submit its report”.
He also said he would express regret if Home Minister G Parameshwara’s statement in the House about family discord being the reason for the alleged suicide had pained Ganapathy’s wife.
Siddarmaiah also said the suicide of another DySP Kalappa Handibag was being probed and no one would be spared.
Late on 7 July, MK Ganapathy, the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Karnataka’s Kodagu district, allegedly hanged himself to death.
Advertisement
“Unfortunately, the opposition parties are terming suicides by two police officers last week as a breakdown of law and order”.
