Targeted for being honest?

Last week, DK Ravi, a young IAS officer, was found dead at his Bengaluru residence. He was known for his honesty, integrity and also for his fearlessness. He took on the sand mafia as Deputy Commissioner of the Kolar district, soon after he was deputed to the Commercial Tax department in Bengaluru. For his Bengaluru assignment, Ravi was in the process of investigating real estate majors and big gold firms. He conducted several raids and brought to surface widespread tax evasion. Even as investigation is ongoing, the incident is being cited as a prime example of bureaucrats being targeted by politicians and business dealers. Young Hans spoke to a few IAS aspirants to know what such incidents mean to them and whether it dampens their spirits

Navatha Y

Madhavi AyyagariWe are prepared for service in challenging and dynamic work environments. But events like these motivate us to prepare for all odds. Honest officers being targeted is a clear indication of loopholes and impeding government functioning. The issue highlights for aspirants of civil service, the challenges to be faced in the future.

Jayasree Peddi

I was a little demotivated when I first heard this news. Later, when I gave it a thought, my heart went out to our soldiers who are always ready to sacrifice their lives for the country and instantly got inspired that there is a hidden risk everywhere. This is my personal opinion. But if a capable and honest officer like DK Ravi was not put under political pressure, he would've changed the system by exposing the corrupt practices of many other companies and tax evaders.

Nivedita Reddy

My question is whether the government would have dealt with the case in the same manner if the same incident were to happen to a politician? Unfortunately, instead of getting appreciation for their honesty and sincerity, bureaucrats face suspensions, transfers, political threats and mafia attacks, eventually leading to suspected death. Political and institutional change is a must to avoid such incidents. These instances definitely make the younger generation think twice before aspiring for civil services. It also keeps existing officers from doing their duty sincerely in order to avoid any kind of trouble to them or their families.

Ranjith Vadlakonda

The IAS brand has its own pride and being an IAS officer comes with a privilege of getting to serve the country. It’s certainly not the money and perks that attracts bright young minds to the service, but the prestige, power and the responsibility of serving the people of the country. After all, it’s the bureaucracy that runs the country.DK Ravi’s death is a grim reminder of the threat that honest officials face in the country. He paid the price for being a crusader and an idealist who exposed several scams. He must get justice. We need more people like him. Let’s not let him die a silent death. Why is the IAS association silent about the issue? It is time they stay united; otherwise each one of them will be at risk.

Dharani Reddy

Did his honesty take his life? D K Ravi, a very young and dynamic officer who took on the land and sand mafia, cleared many encroachments of government lands in Kolar and was finally transferred to Bangalore as Additional Commissioner in the commercial tax department. An honest officer was transferred for taking on the sand mafia. The government not being able to provide any kind of protection shows its disregard for its civil servants. It is shocking to know about Ravi’s death. No one can ever believe that such a daring and dynamic officer can take such an extreme step. Many suspect it to be a murder and insist on a CBI probe to know the truth behind his death. But the state government’s reluctance gives me a sense of fear and makes me wonder if I am heading the right way.

Swetha T

D K Ravi is not the first officer who stood against all odds and fought wrong acts, resulting in his demise. Many other honest and efficient IAS officers have been killed, burnt alive, suspended; there’s no end to this list. All they did was respect their profession. Do these consequences create a feeling of insecurity in the mind of lakhs of young IAS aspirants who want to be honest, expose the wrong-doings of several business establishments? Are ‘deaths and transfers’ rewards for an ‘honest officer’? Being an IAS aspirant, I may feel insecure but these IAS officers inspire me instead and are role models who teach us dignity, work ethics, work commitment and loyalty towards the profession we choose.

Harika Chandra

The attacks on IAS officers have been on the rise in the past two-three years, be it the transfer of whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka from the Haryana cadre for taking on Robert Vadra’s land deals or IAS officer Durga Shakti’s suspension by the UP government for trying to stop illegal sand mining or the recent one the sudden death of a young IAS officer DK Ravi.These cases mislead many upcoming fearless, young and honest IAS officers who want to do their best for the country.

After days of hardwork and rigorous training we live the dream of being an IAS officer but such acts by the respective state governments dishonor our profession. A steady probe into these atrocities is a must and severe punishment must be awarded to the culprits irrespective of their social or political status. Only that can reassure young aspirants. Also to make matters worse, the union government seems to be in no hurry to implement the Whistle Blowers Act.