CBI probe in MM Kalburgi murder case recommended by Karnataka government

A day after noted Kannada scholar and rationalist MM Kalburgi was shot dead by unidentified men at his residence in Dharwad, Karnataka, the state government decided to hand over his case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on 1 September. The news of Kalburgi's death led to protests in the state, demanding strict investigation and swift action from the government.

According to a TOI report, the state Law Minister TB Jayachandra said that the CBI will decide whether the case is worth probing or not and also consult the Home Ministry before starting investigations.

The report stated that the police was investigating the case from three different angles - role of religious extremists, family rivalry and property dispute.

The Karnataka police has already arrested Bhuvin Shetty, who tweeted after the incident claiming that another rationalist KS Bhagwan would also face the same fate.