CBI names Karnataka minister KJ George as accused in Ganapathy suicide case

Deputy Superintendent of Police MK Ganapathy had died at Madikeri in Karnataka under mysterious circumstances on July 7 last year.

File photo

NEW DELHI: In a setback to the Congress, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday registered a case against Karnataka Minister KJ George in connection with alleged suicide of Deputy Superintendent of Police MK Ganapathy.

The then Bengaluru City’s Additional DG, AM Prasad and Inspector-General of Police, Pronav Mohanty have also been named.

In a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the CBI, Karnataka Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, has been named as accused number one. 

In September last year, the Supreme Court had ordered the CBI to investigate Ganapathy's death.

“There are certain startling facts in the case. Whether it is murder or suicide, it is required to be investigated in a fair manner,” the bench had said, as per PTI.

It had also asked the investigating agency to file a status report on the probe before it within three months.

Reacting to the developments, BJP's Karnataka president BS Yeddyurappa said today, "KJ George should be removed from Cabinet immediately."

He added, "We will launch statewide agitation if George is not removed immediately from the Cabinet. Mr George continuing in the government will make a fair probe difficult," ANI reported.

Hours before his death, in a television interview Ganapathy had accused George, Prasad and Mohanty of harassing him. George was the state home minister then. 

Ganapathy had died at Madikeri in Karnataka under mysterious circumstances on July 7 last year.

George had resigned over the alleged suicide of the police officer on July 18. However, weeks after his resignation, he had returned to the Karnataka government on September 26.

(With Agency inputs)