The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday recommended a CBI probe into the death of Karnataka-cadre IAS officer Anurag Tewari, whose body was found on the road near a State guest house here last week.
The announcement by Principal secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar, came within hours of Tewari’s family, including his mother, meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with the demand.
Murder case filed
The Uttar Pradesh police had earlier in the day registered a case of murder. An FIR under Section 302 (murder) had been registered at the Hazratganj police station on a complaint filed by Mayank Tewari, the officer’s brother. Mr. Mayank had hinted at a conspiracy behind Tewari’s death.
He said his brother had told him two months ago that he was receiving death threats from anonymous people and that he was under “tremendous pressure.”
Mr. Mayank said his brother told him about a file he was working on “which will expose a big scam in Karnataka.” Tewari was the Commissioner of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department.
“He was under pressure to sign some papers... He was an honest officer and had been transferred around 7-8 times in his career,” Mr. Mayank said in his complaint.
Tewari’s mother Sushila Tewari said the family was in great distress. “My son was a simple and honest man... We came here [from native Bahraich] in the hope that Yogiji will give us justice,” she said after the meeting with the CM.
The IAS officer was in Lucknow for a few days as part of phase 3 training given to IAS officers. He was found dead on May 17, his 36th birthday. Police said he was out for a morning walk and had collapsed after walking barely a few metres. Mr. Mayank contests this. “He was a late riser and would never go for a morning walk,” he said.
On March 18, a day after the death, the police constituted a five-member SIT to probe the case. It was asked to submit its report within 72 hours.
However, the probe is still not complete. “Some statements still need to be registered,” said Avnish Mishra, Circle Officer, Hazratganj, who heads the SIT.
Tewari’s family has alleged negligence by the local police. “The police did not even seal the room [at the Meera Bai guest house where the officer was staying] or gather enough CCTV footage from the area. Nobody has even taken a statement from us so far,” said Mr. Mayank.
Mr. Mishra, however, said it was important for them to first gather evidence from areas in and around the site and take statements of people who were present at the spot. “The FIR has been registered. We will record their statements now.”
