Bengaluru: IAS Officer, Suspended In Multi-Crore IMA Ponzi Scam, Commits Suicide

Suspended IAS officer BM Vijay Shankar was accused in a 2019 multi-crore I Monetary Advisory (IMA) Ponzi scheme scam

(Representative Image/ Getty)

Bengaluru: In a shocking development, a suspended IAS officer BM Vijay Shankar who was accused in a multi-crore I Monetary Advisory (IMA) Ponzi scheme scam, allegedly committed suicide at his residence in Bengaluru's Jayanagar.  According to the initial reports, the development came to light at about 8 PM when the Tilak Nagar police reached his residence and found him dead. Shankar reportedly ended his life at about 7 in the evening while he was alone at his place. A Deccan Herald report stated that the case has been registered with the Tilak Nagar police station. Though the investigation is underway and the exact reason for his extreme step is yet to be revealed, reports claim that the deceased was undergoing severe depression after since his name was dragged in the IMA scam which led to his suspension. During the initial probe, police has not found any suicide note from the victim's residence. The report further quoted Police commissioner Bhaskar Rao who said that  "once we finish the procedures of investigating the spot his body will be shifted to Victoria hospital for post mortem. The report will find out exact cause of his death". "We have taken up the case of unnatural death with regard to Vijay Shankar's death. Further probe will reveal more details about it," the senior officer added. The then Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru, Vijay Shankar was arrested by special investigation team (SIT) last year for allegedly accepting 1.5 crore bribe to give clean chit to IMA company. The official had spent few days in jail over his alleged involvement in the case, but was later granted bail.