A complaint was filed in the Karnataka lokayuktha on Thursday against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his 27 Cabinet Ministers over transfer of police officers in the State.
Retired police officer and president of Karnataka Police Mahasangha Shashidhar Venugopal has filed the complaint with the lokayuktha alleging large scale corruption in the transfer of police officials on the new year eve.
He alleged the transfers were “unlawful” and made on the requests from the political leaders. He has also sought thorough investigation sought against 21 police officials.
Venugopal, alleged in his complaint that in spite of earlier directions issued by the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court, the Chief Minister had ordered transfer of police officials following requests from political leaders.
The Supreme Court had directed the Central and State Governments to amend the Karnataka Police Act as the appointments and transfers of police officers were made with political influence, Shashidhar claimed.
Shashidhar is facing sedition charges for allegedly instigating police personnel to go on strike a few months ago on issues concerning their welfare and “harassment” by superiors and spent two weeks in jail before getting bail from Karnataka High Court.
Shashidhar also alleged that the “unlawful” transfers were nothing but a breach of oath of office under the Third Schedule of the Constitution. Shashidhar said the Police Establishment Board has absolute powers on deciding transfers, postings, promotions and other service-related matters of officers below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
last year, 41 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers were transferred in a major reshuffle of the police force in Karnataka on December 31.