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Kumaraswamy Releases Audio Tape, Says Kolar MLA Threatened DK Ravi

Kumaraswamy Releases Audio Tape, Says Kolar MLA Threatened DK Ravi
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MARCH 19: MPs from Karnataka protesting and demanding CBI probe on DK Ravi's death case at Parliament house on March 19, 2015 in New Delhi, India. Opposition forced deferment of consideration of the contentious Mines and Minerals Bill in Rajya Sabha till tomorrow, arguing that mineral-bearing states had not been consulted. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MARCH 19: MPs from Karnataka protesting and demanding CBI probe on DK Ravi's death case at Parliament house on March 19, 2015 in New Delhi, India. Opposition forced deferment of consideration of the contentious Mines and Minerals Bill in Rajya Sabha till tomorrow, arguing that mineral-bearing states had not been consulted. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Former Karnataka chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy released an audio clipping that he alleges is a threatening call made by an elected representative of Kolar to a subordinate of DK Ravi, the IAS officer found dead on Monday.

Ravi was posted at deputy commissioner in Kolar before his transfer to Bangalore. Kumaraswamy said it was clear from the tape that the MLA was putting pressure on the official to release land seized from the sand mafia.

In the tape, the MLA is heard bullying the official who reported to Ravi, and asking him to release four lorries of seized illegal sand. He is also heard speaking about the transfer of Ravi from Kolar district in the next two days. The way in which the MLA threatened the lower official "it is anybody's guess Ravi was transfered because of (sand) mafia," Kumaraswamy alleged.

Ravi was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his flat in Bengaluru on Monday, with police suspecting it to be prima facie a case of suicide. "The Chief Minister in the assembly had said that the father-in-law of Ravi and an MLA from Kolar district had requested transfer of the deceased IAS officer. He misled the House to safeguard the interests of the sand mafia and land looters. This Chief Minister transfered the (Kolar) Deputy Commissioner for their (sand and land mafia) protection," he told reporters while releasing the audio file.

Throwing more light on the purported telephonic conversation, Kumaraswamy said, "The MLA was threatening the lower officer, and when he was threatening him he said that the cabinet meeting is there and on (March) 14th this Deputy Commissioner will be transfered."

Meanwhile, Hanumanthrayappa, father-in-law of Ravi, said there were no personal problems between his family and Ravi's, and requested people not to spread falsehood. "As the head of his family at least I could have sensed something if anything is there. There is no personal problem between my family and his family. So it is a falsehood. Whoever is spreading falsehood, I request once again not to do it," he added.

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