CCB will investigate lawyer’s suicide case

The suicide of the 35-year-old businesswoman and lawyer sparked outrage among the legal community, with the Bar Association demanding an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In response, the City Police Commander on Monday ordered a thorough investigation of the case by the City Police Commander Central Criminal Department (CCB).

The Bengaluru Bar Association approached the Commission on Monday Karnataka High Court demanding an inquiry into the suicide of lawyer Jeeva, which allegedly took place due to police torture. During the hearing, Justice M. Nagaprasanna directed the Additional State Prosecutor to seek directions by November 27 regarding the Association’s application seeking initiation of a CBI probe.

The court examined the deceased’s 13-page death certificate, which detailed allegations of physical assault, stripping and torture by police. The deceased was charged with criminal breach of trust and fraud in a case involving misappropriation of over Rs 196 crore from the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation.

On November 13, Jeeva submitted an affidavit in which he alleged torture by the Investigating Officer (IO) handling the Bhovi Corporation case. Justice Nagaprasanna then ordered video recording of all interrogations and barred the police from filing charge sheets without the court’s permission. The victim wrote his death certificate at 1:30 a.m. Friday, after the hearing. She died by suicide around 5 a.m.

OM was subsequently charged with aiding and abetting suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Senior advocate Vivek Subba Reddy, representing the Bar Association, argued that the deceased faced more ill-treatment after making the statement. He argued for a central agency to launch an investigation, citing potential bias among police investigating their colleagues. Senior advocate Venkatesh Dalwai, appearing for the IO, opposed the CBI inquiry request and denied the allegations of misconduct. The HC confirmed the serious nature of the allegations contained in the death note, especially regarding striptease and intrusive search, and fixed the next hearing on November 27.