Karnataka CID probing irregularities in police sub-inspector recruitment summons MLA Priyank Kharge
Bengaluru, Apr 25: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing the irregularities in the recruitment of police sub-inspectors has summoned Congress MLA Priyank Kharge, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said on Monday.
Kharge had recently released an audio recording of a conversation regarding the irregularities (in the SI recruitment), which he said was submitted to him, Araga Jnanendra said in a statement.
"The CID probing the irregularities in the SI recruitment has issued a notice to Priyank Kharge to appear before it for questioning. I appeal to the MLA to display his responsibility and assist the CID, which is probing the case in the right direction, by sharing evidence with them," the minister said.
Kharge should cooperate with the probe by sharing the documents with him and other information with the CID officials and he should at least assist in ensuring legal action against those involved in the irregularities, he said.
"As an impartial probe is on, there is no question of sparing anyone however influential that person is," Jnanendra said.
The minister said he ordered a probe into the matter after discussing with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to render justice to the candidates who sincerely wrote the SI exam but could not get selected.
Such irregularities cause immense damage to society when the talented aspirants coming from poor families are cornered due to such illegalities, he said.
Reacting to the notice, Kharge, a former minister, alleged that the CID served him a notice to divert attention as the investigation is heading nowhere.
The Congress legislator also said he can give his reply in writing and there was no compulsion on him to appear in person.
Refuting the charge that he led any sting operation, Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru that the information he shared was already in the public domain such as documents signed by the officials, replies given in the Karnataka legislature assembly and council.
The transcript of the audio was published in newspapers, he added.
What information do they have then? If they have no information, why are they hiding it? Shouldn't they give the information? I have been served notice but not the person who had meals with the accused and the head of the executive head of recruitment, Kharge charged.
The scam happened in Kalaburagi district and Kharge is an MLA from Chittapur assembly constituency in the same district. His father Mallikarjun Kharge, a former Union minister, too was an MP from Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) Lok Sabha constituency.
More than 10 people have been arrested including the Afzalpur MLA's gunman. A BJP leader, who was close to many high-profile leaders in Karnataka, is on the run while her husband has been arrested.
The case came to light after an aspirant was given 100 per cent marks though he had attempted only 21 questions in one of the question papers.
More than 54,000 candidates wrote the exam for 545 posts. Police sources said the initial probe revealed that up to Rs 75 lakh to 80 lakh was charged from the candidates as bribe.
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Govt to set up Bureau of Port Security to boost port, vessel security
New Delhi (PTI): To beef up the security infrastructure of ports, the government will set up a statutory body -- the Bureau of Port Security -- that will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information of ports and vessels, officials said on Friday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday convened a meeting for the constitution of the dedicated body, the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), which was attended by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, an official statement said.
Emphasising that there is a need to establish a country-wide robust port security framework, Shah directed that security measures should be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters.
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The meeting also noted that lessons learned from the maritime security framework shall be replicated in the aviation security domain, the statement said.
The new body, modelled on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), will be constituted as a statutory body under the new Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and will work under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), it said.
Headed by a senior IPS officer as its director general, the BoPS will be responsible for regulatory and oversight functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities.
"During the transition period of one year, the director general of shipping shall function as the director general of BoPS," the statement said.
"The BoPS will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats," it said.
The government has designated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as a recognised security organisation (RSO), responsible for undertaking security assessments and preparation of security plans for port facilities.
The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will train and build the capacities of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security.
"These agencies shall be certified and appropriate regulatory measures shall be introduced to ensure that only the licensed PSAs operate in this sector," the statement said.
