Over 120 Bengaluru police personnel suspended in 10 months
raising concerns over the force’s credibility
Bengaluru: Tasked with ensuring public safety and enforcing the law, the Bengaluru City Police is facing a crisis of credibility as a growing number of officers are being implicated in criminal activities. In the past ten months, 124 police personnel have reportedly been suspended for alleged involvement in offences ranging from robbery and corruption to drug peddling and dereliction of duty.
According to data shared by the police and cited by The New Indian Express on Monday, the suspended personnel include 10 inspectors, 16 sub-inspectors, 16 assistant sub-inspectors, 41 head constables, and 41 constables.
City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh stated that strict action is being taken against officers found involved in criminal activities or showing negligence. He added that all joint commissioners and deputy commissioners of police have been instructed to hold meetings in their divisions to ensure officers are aware of departmental rules.
“Criminal activities break the discipline of the force and affect public trust. The police department is one of the largest in the state with significant manpower. If anyone fails to follow discipline, action will be initiated,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
A senior IPS officer explained that whenever police personnel are found involved in misconduct or criminal activity, a departmental enquiry (DE) is initiated.
“If they are involved in a criminal activity, an FIR is registered in addition to DE. A higher-ranked officer conducts the probe, depending on the rank of the accused officer. Based on the gravity of the offence, punishment varies, from dismissal or discharge from service to reduction of increment or compulsory leave and others,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
He added that around 90% of suspensions are due to dereliction of duty, which includes failing to follow departmental discipline. Corruption or criminal activities, he noted, often stem from poor supervision and financial pressures.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Celebrations erupt as Satheesan is selected as Kerala Chief Minister
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Celebrations erupted across Kerala on Thursday after V D Satheesan was selected by the Congress High Command as the next Chief Minister of the state.
Satheesan was at the Contonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, when AICC leaders announced it in New Delhi.
Soon after the announcement, jubilant Satheesan supporters burst firecrackers and distributed sweets in several parts of the state.
Paravur in Ernakulam district, the Assembly constituency he has represented since 2001, witnessed large-scale celebrations.
Satheesan was widely seen as the frontrunner for the post, with UDF allies also backing his candidature during the selection process.
As the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, he led the UDF both inside and outside the House.
Apart from Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Congress MP K C Venugopal were also considered for the post.
