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.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
