JOIN USThe sudden death of Ravi has come as a shock to all right thinking and conscientious persons. It was most unexpected considering that he is both an honest and courageous officer. He achieved in a shorttime in Kolar through ‘Revenue Adalat’ the solution to an intractable problem, which many governments and officers are struggling to solve for decades.
If only he had been allowed to continue in Kolar for some more weeks, he would have covered the entire district with revenue adalats. His transfer was untimely and even if he had sought it, a well meaning government could have refused the request. He was again charged up when he got transferred to commercial taxes department. He was not deterred by the abrupt transfer but that was his undoing. He did not learn. He thought he can again leave his stamp there. But, it turned out to be his tombstone.
I started a project to write a case study on his Revenue Adalat initiative in Kolar. The programme was a wonderful initiative loud in impact and rich in learning value. He was very proud of his achievement in Kolar and there was always a sense of fulfilment when he spoke of his project. He felt highly encouraged by the support he got from the people of Kolar. Ordinary people take time to accept but once they accept a person, they adopt him as their won.
Ravi’s level of maturity was high and it is difficult to imagine that he had spent only five years in the IAS. Rather, the officers carry the spark only for five years and after that, they get moulded. May be they should be moulded during the probation itself so that they are not put to peril like Ravi. Whoever inspired him and whatever inspired him, he has been done a disfavour.
The stark factor that strikes us is the muted responses of the IAS officers and their Association. There is deafening silence from them when the people expect them to come out open. My point is about the lukewarm response of his colleagues and the Association. This is fitting their pattern and is disconcerting.
Increasingly, it is becoming evident that even stray incidents of IAS officers coming down heavy on law evaders is becoming one too many for the governments. There was a lady officer who got manhandled by high handed people and she was left to defend herself by her colleagues. Manhandling of even ordinary woman in a remote location attracts more outrage than what this officer got. Ordinary people are with Ravi but his collegial system will not come to his rescue.
The media has taken it up vehemently and following it up. This has inspired many ordinary citizens to come together and voice their protests. Students across the state are speaking for him. Professionals and middle class are coming out for him. There is only outrage in their protest as they see it as gross injustice, and don’t see it in through the prism of politics or career.
No support
Only group which is observing deafening silence is his colleagues from the service. There is no outcry even from the retired officers. One common refrain from harassed junior officers always is about the total lack of any moral support from their seniors in the hour of crisis. In fact, it is a moot point to deliberate if such coldness from seniors strengthen or weaken the resolve of young officers. It definitely de-motivates every committed person. It is also not clear why it is seen as concerning IAS and not services in general. This is where ordinary public differ from the elite services. Their support for honesty is always pure and untied.
Many quarters and voices demanded CBI inquiry into the factors leading to his suicide. The CBI probe is a limited solution. Firstly, already some time has elapsed and crucial leads might have been lost. Secondly, it will only help release the steam for the time being and the cause will be lost very soon. Along with the CBI inquiry, one more measure has to be undertaken.
The High Court should consider instituting an inquiry under its supervision to look into all large and crucial cases that Ravi was investigating as DC in Kolar and as Additional Commissioner in the commercial taxes department. This inquiry may not establish the link with the suicide but it will help to nail all the organisations/companies and the people he was investigating. This will ensure justice is delivered on the cases he was investigating.
This is the best way to pay homage to him. He felt indignant over what was happening and the justice is still to be delivered. This will be the best Homage we can pay Ravi. This is what he would have liked. If CBI enquiry is necessary to satisfy the demand of the family, inquiry supervised by the court is necessary to deliver justice to the people of Karnataka.
(The writer is Chairperson, Centre for Public Policy, IIM-Bangalore)