Complaint filed against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah with Lokayukta
A complaint has been filed against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged corruption involved in the transfer of 41 IPS officers on December 31, 2016. Shashidhar Venugopal, founder of Karnataka Police Mahasangha filed the complaint against Siddaramiah, the 28 ministers in his cabinet and 21 police officers. He has asked the Lokayukta to probe the transfer issue, alleging bribes were paid for good postings.
What is the Karnataka Police Mahasangha?
Shashidhar Venugopal, an ex-Karnataka police officer founded the Akhila Karnataka Police Mahasangha as an organization that would address the issues faced by the lower-rung of the Karnataka police force. It is not an official organization or union.
What is the complaint regarding?
In December 2016, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered a major reshuffle of the top brass of the police force. 41 IPS officers including the Police Commissioner of Bangalore and the Chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau were transferred. The government said the shuffle was on the cards for a year, and that they wanted to remove officers from their "comfort zones."
Assembly elections 2018 in mind?
Some sources said that CM Siddaramaiah had the 2018 Assembly elections in mind while ordering the re-shuffle. Sources said advisers to the CM recommended names of officers who would be helpful during the time.
What was the complaint?
Venugopal has alleged that several IPS officers paid huge sums of money as bribes for transfers to favourable locations. He added that new police officers who were inducted were appointed based on their proximity to politicians and other affiliations. He said the entire exercise was stage-managed keeping in mind the 2018 Assembly elections in the state.
