'CID to submit final report on Bande's killing in 10 days'

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will submit the final report of its investigation into the killing of police sub-inspector Mallikarjun Bande, to the State government in 10 days, Home Minister K J George said here on Tuesday.

The investigation is nearing completion and the ballistics report has arrived. Investigators are currently reconstructing the crime scene to get the exact picture, George told reporters here after reviewing the progress of important cases being investigated by the CID.

The minister further said the government would accept some of the recommendations made by the DG&IGP, Lalrokhuma Pachuau, for ensuring free and fair investigation into the alleged misappropriation of money seized by police during a recent raid near Mysore. Pachuau has recommended among other things the transfer of some police officers in Mysore, he added.

Abhinav Khare, Superintendent of Police, Mysore, had filed an FIR against Mysore Rural sub-inspector C D Jagadeesh and constables – Ashok, Sathish and Lateef – for not showing the entire money they had seized in a raid. While they had seized Rs 2.2 crore, they reportedly showed just Rs 20 lakh in the FIR registered at the Yelwal police station. The SP later suspended six police officers in this connection.

Asked about senior Congress leader’s criticism that he was a “weak” Home minister, George he replied: “He (Poojary) is a senior leader and has the right to express his opinion.”

Poojary had demanded a CBI investigation into the killing of a young man, Kabeer, by the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) at a checkpost near Sringeri in Chikmagalur district on April 19. ANF personnel claimed they mistook him for a Maoist.

“I am not against a CBI probe, but there should be some strong ground for that. The government has already ordered the CID to investigate the incident. Once that report comes, an appropriate decision will be taken, and if necessary a CBI probe will be ordered,” George said, adding that preliminary report on the incident was expected in two days.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) issued a notice to the chief secretary, the Chikmagalur deputy commissioner and the head of the ANF on the incident. The SHRC directed the government to take legal action against the policemen involved.

Misuse of vehicles

The Home minister also warned of strict action against senior police officers who use government vehicles and lower-rung staff for personal purpose.

George said he had come across the incident of a police officer using a vehicle belonging to Mahila Sahayavani (women’s helpline) of the Bangalore police for personal purpose. He further said he had straightaway ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident. The report confirmed the officer was misusing the vehicle. Appropriate action will be taken against him, he added.

Asked whether he received any complaints on the extended nightlife in Bangalore, George said the extension would be looked into three months after its implementation. George blamed his predecessor, R Ashoka of the BJP, for not doing anything to fill the large number of vacancies in the Home department.

“He (Ashoka) completely failed in his duty,” he said, adding that the Congress government was taking steps to recruit 8,500 constables and 816 sub-inspectors.