Senior officer to probe lapse

A day after the serious security lapse was witnessed at the Vidhana Soudha, the police on Wednesday began a probe into the incident.

Additional Commissioner of Police (East) P Harishekaran has been directed to conduct a probe and submit a report.

“It is a case of security lapse and an inquiry has been ordered. I have asked the security officers to prepare a detailed report, based on which an inquiry will be conducted. Action will be taken against those responsible for this major lapse,” Harishekaran told Deccan Herald.

Around 1 pm on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah went to his office in the Vidhana Soudha. A former MLA of the Congress from Chikkaballapur district and a few of his supporters were waiting near the office. As soon as the chief minister arrived, they greeted him. One of the supporters garlanded Siddaramaiah, who noticed a small battery and a few glowing LED lights in the garland. He immediately took off the garland and alerted the security personnel.

A senior police officer said, “The garland was examined and was sent to the forensic science laboratory for examination. The person who garlanded the chief minister was questioned and it was found that he had no ulterior intention. These fancy garlands are not allowed inside the premises and it was a security lapse. The names of the former MLA and his supporter who garlanded the chief minister cannot be revealed till the inquiry is finished”.  The incident led to commotion among the security personnel who were caught unawares.