UP govt recommends CBI probe into IAS officer Anurag Tiwari’s mysterious death

Anurag Tiwari was found dead on May 17, his birthday, near the state guest house at Hazratganj’s Meera Bai Marg.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the mysterious death of Karnataka cadre IAS officer Anurag Tiwari.

The UP Government on Monday recommended a CBI probe into the death of Karnataka IAS officer Anurag Tewari was found dead in Lucknow’s Hazratganj area last week. (ANI Photo)

The order came six hours after Tiwari’s family members met chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and demanded a CBI probe because they suspect foul play his death.

“The state government has considered the demand of the family members of Anurag Tiwari and recommended CBI probe into the death of the IAS officer,” Principal secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar told reporters at a press conference.

Family members of the officer had earlier shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a CBI probe into his death. The family is settled in Bahraich.

A 2007 batch IAS officer, Anurag was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the roadside near the state guest house in Hazratganj area on his birthday on May 17.

Anurag and his batchmate Prabhu Narain Singh, who is posted as vice-chairman at Lucknow Development Authority, had come to Lucknow after attending a mid-career training programme at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.

Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the mysterious death but even after three days the probe team failed to crack the case.

The deceased officer’s brother Mayank Tiwari said Anurag paid with his life for being a whistle blower.

“My brother had exposed a major scam in the food and civil supplies department in Karnataka. There was pressure on him to withdraw the report. Several top leaders and bureaucrats would have been nailed had the report been made public. He had shared with the family members about the pressure tactics adopted by the people close to power and his harassment,” Mayank said.

Anurag was serving as commissioner, food and civil supplies and consumer affairs, in Bengaluru. He was reportedly facing opposition from some of his senior officers over tenders.

Anurag’s mother Sushila Devi said, “I have written a letter to the Prime Minister and chief minister demanding justice for my son. Anurag was an honest officer. The killers must be arrested.”

Earlier on Monday, the police registered a case of murder. SSP Kumar ordered registration of an FIR after the family members of deceased officer filed a complaint in the case at the Hazratganj police station.