In an embarrassment to the Congress Government in Karnataka, two Ministers were caught napping by TV channels during a discussion in the Assembly over the suspected suicide of an upright IAS officer that has evoked outrage and anguish across political spectrum and the state.
Tourism Minister R V Deshpande and Forest Minister Ramanath Rai, were seen snoozing in the visuals, as the legislators were involved in an animated discussion on the death of D K Ravi who had made his mark as a bold officer, taking on the land and sand mafia and tax evaders.
The entire Opposition including BJP legislators attacked the government for failure to protect honest officials and alleged that death of the IAS officer was a case of murder and not suicide as claimed by the police in its preliminary probe.
The video footage showing the ministers in a somnolent state was aired by Kannada and national news channels.
The Opposition made a strong demand for a CBI inquiry into the death of Ravi, who was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room at his flat here yesterday.
However, government refused to yield to the Opposition demand for a CBI probe and ordered a CID inquiry.
