Funeral of IAS officer who committed suicide, held after COVID report returns negative
Bengaluru: The funeral rites of IAS officer B M Vijay Shankar were conducted on Wednesday after the Corona test conducted on his body returned negative for the virus.
The former Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District was found hanging at his residence in Jayanagar on Tuesday. His body was taken to Victoria Hospital for a post mortem, following which, a Corona test was also conducted. Since the latter test showed negative for Coronavirus, Vijay Shankar's body was handed over to his relatives.
His family members, colleagues, and friends visited Vijay Shankar's house on Wednesday to pay their respects. The last rites were conducted at the Chamarajpet crematorium in a religious manner on Wednesday evening, said sources.
The cause for the suicide of the officer, who was director of the Sakala Department, is unknown yet.
Top officials silent
Although a senior IAS officer has died, no senior police officer has visited his house. City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao and Additional Commissioner S Murugan too have kept away from the scene of the death, said sources.
Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has admitted that the cause for the extreme step taken by Vijay Shankar is not known. “The suicide has been registered as a death due to unnatural cause, but we will know more about the matter only after investigation,” he added.
Bommai, however, said that it would not be right to link Vijay Shankar's involvement in the IMA case to the suicide, as the case is not recent.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
ALSO READ: FIR registered against over 30 for vandalising Christmas decorations at Raipur mall
"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
