CM's fresh theory on Abhishek's death

Says he would order for an inquiry into the episode

 More than one-and-a-half months after the boy went missing, the government, on Thursday, made a statement suspecting whether he was really washed away in the drain. Now he wants to hold an inquiry to find out the ‘truth’.

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, replying to a question by JD(S) member Abdul Azeem in the Legislative Council on Thursday, expressed suspicion about the manner in which Abhishek went missing on May 31.

He said, he personally visited the spot where the boy is believed to have been washed away. He was convinced that his body could not have gone beyond a barrier which was at a short distance from where the incident occurred. The fact that even after the military had been called, there was no trace of the body or any stench, which gave rise to suspicion, he added. He said he would order for an inquiry into the episode.

The CM’s statements on the incident created quite a tumult in the house with the leader of the opposition V S Ugrappa questioning if he suspected the family of foul play. “The CM’s claim is both surprising and sensitive. Why has he not informed the public about this suspicion all these days? Why was the compensation given to the family?” he asked.
JD(S) member Nanaiah too insisted that the public had the right to know if the child had indeed been washed away or not. He said that in the event of a false complaint by the family the respective people must be brought to book.

Under attack from the opposition, Yeddyurappa later clarified that his intention was not to direct suspicion at the family. He said that anything could have happened to the child immediately after the incident without the knowledge of the parents. “There has to be a direct investigation into the incident and the truth has to come out,” he said.

Earlier, JD(S) MLC Abdul Azeem questioned the CM on the preparedness of the BBMP to avert such incidents during the monsoon. The CM replied that the BBMP was on a ‘war footing’ to clear drains and had even set up a 24-hour control room. He added that by the time next year’s monsoon comes around, all precautions to avert such incidents will be taken.