BENGALURU: Commissioner of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Anurag Tewari (36), who was found dead in Lucknow on Wednesday, had been threatened by unknown persons and he had disclosed about this to his family members, according to his brother.
The 2007 batch officer, who was posted in Bengaluru, was found dead by the roadside near a government guest house in Lucknow.
Speaking to Express, Mayank Tewari said his brother Anurag was harassed by senior people in the Karnataka government. “He was threatened by some people and he had told us about this many times. In fact, when my parents planned to come to Bengaluru in March, he stopped them. He knew that his life as well as that of the family members were under threat. Some officials and ministers could be involved,” he said.
Anurag’s salary was withheld for five months, his leave applications were rejected and he was harassed by senior bureaucrats in the state government, Mayank alleged.
“When Anurag was posted as Deputy Commissioner in Bidar, he did not face any problem. After he moved to Bengaluru and took charge as Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies, he got to know about a major scam. In fact, he conducted investigation and had some major leads,” he said.
Mayank also claimed that Anurag knew that the wife of a senior officer was involved in the alleged scam. “I do not know who the officer is, but tenders in the department were given to people from one village. He had prepared a report to be given to Central Bureau of Investigation. But senior officials and other bureaucrats stopped him,’’ he said. Demanding a CBI probe into the death, Mayank said, “I have Anurag’s messages which he sent a few weeks back. I will give it to the investigating agency. If required, I will come to Bengaluru and meet CM Siddaramaiah,’’ he added.
On Friday, BJP Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Kharandlaje wrote a letter to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adithyanath wherein, quoting her sources, she said , “A multi-crore scam was unearthed in the Department of Food and Civil Supplies which was being investigated by Tewari. I learnt he had prepared a detailed dossier of the said scandal. Anurag’s brother too expressed fear of powerful people being involved in the crime. Since the incident involves two states, the probe should be handed to CBI,’’ she said in her letter.
He never complained about anything: Khader
Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader said since January 4, when Anurag took charge as Comissioner, he worked for only 37 out of 157 days. “Tewari had gone to Punjab as an election observer, then on training to Mussorie. He wanted further leave from May 8 till June 5. Our department secretary Harsh Gupta had approved his leave application and forwarded it, but it was rejected by Chief Secretary Subash Chandra Khuntia because he had already taken leave for many days.”
When asked about Anurag’s salary being withheld or harassment by senior officials, Khader said none of these issues were brought to their notice. “The state government does not interfere with IAS officers. He could have written to the CM, Chief Secretary, Minister or even the governor. None of these issues were raised earlier. I am getting to know about it only now,’’ Khader added.