IAS officer arrested in IMA scam ends life

An IAS officer allegedly took his own life by hanging himself in his house on Tuesday evening.

The deceased officer was BM Vijay Shankar. He had been arrested by special investigation team (SIT) in the I Monetary Advice (IMA) case when he was deputy commissioner (DC) Urban Bengaluru. He had spent few days in the jail over his alleged involvement in the IMA scam and was released on bail. The IMA case is currently being probed by Central Bureau of Investigation.

Shankar was staying in Jayanagar near Ashoka Pillar along with his family members.

Shankar was accused of taking Rs 1.5 crore to approve a report on financial irregularities, and was accused of giving a clean chit to the main accused of IMA scam, Mohammed Mansoor Khan.

The incident came to light around 8 pm. It is alleged that Shankar ended his life around 7.00 pm, when he was alone in the house. Shankar was said to be under severe depression after his name surfaced in the scam, and his subsequent arrest.

However, the exact reason for his extreme step is yet to be identified. Tilak Nagar police have taken up the case of mysterious death under CrPc and are probing further. As of now the police officials have not found any death note. A senior officer said: "once we finish the procedures of investigating the spot his body will be shifted to Victoria hospital for post mortem. The report will find out exact cause of his death".

Police commissioner Bhaskar Rao told DH: "We have taken up the case of unnatural death with regard to Vijay Shankar's death. Further probe will reveal more details about it".

The deceased Vijay Shankar was serving as additional mission director of Sakala. He was recently posted to his post after his suspension was revoked.

Shankar had been to office and attended a meeting. He returned home around 2.30 pm. He went to the second floor room around 3.30 pm.

His family members suspected something was fishy when he didn't come down after 6.30 pm. They knocked on the door, when there was no response, with the help of neighbours they broke open the door lock and found him hanging.

Shankar is survived by two daughters and wife.