Kavya case: Complete probe quickly, MLC tells police

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik has urged the police to complete the investigation into the death of Kavya, a Class 10 student of Alva’s Education Foundation in Moodbidri, at the earliest and put an end to the controversy surrounding the death.

Condoling the unfortunate death of Kavya, Karnik, who is Chief Whip of Opposition in the Council, told reporters here on Wednesday that the death of Kavya was unfortunate. The police have registered a medico-legal case in connection with the unnatural death of Kavya and the investigation is in progress.

“Keeping in mind that thousands of students are pursuing their studies in the educational institution in Moodbidri and trusting the investigation, all the stakeholders should cooperate in bringing out the truth,” said the MLC.

He said that Alva’s Education Foundation has done a commendable work in the field of education, culture, literature and sports, and condemned an attempt to tarnish the image of the Foundation and its chairman Dr Mohan Alva through social media using the case of the death of Kavya.

Contributions questioned

“The demand for justice for Kavya’s parents is justifiable. However, a section of the society has been engaged in questioning the achievement of Alva’s Educational Foundation’s contributions to the society in the last three decades, thereby trying to mislead the investigation process. The selective targeting of Dr M Mohan Alva and the institutions run by him is a conspiracy by a few and the investigation officers should be cautious of such false propaganda,” he said.

To a query on the shortcomings at Alva’s High School and its hostel as presented by the Expert Committee on Preventing Sexual Violence Against Women and Children, headed by MLC V S Ugrappa, Capt Karnik said that there are departmental guidelines for running institutions.

“If there was any lapse, then it also points to the failure of the departments concerned. Instead of questioning the issue of atrocities on women and children, Ugrappa has gone beyond his charted duties as the committee chairperson. Since the committee was formed, he has not given any suggestion to the government on prevention of atrocities on women and children,” Karnik said.

He alleged that there is a conspiracy behind focusing on the administrative loopholes of the institution rather than demanding a fair investigation.

As Kavya was a promising badminton player who had a bright future, Karnik urged the state government to pay compensation to the family of Kavya.