Getting cops transferred a habit with Naik, shows RTI reply

Minister of State for Labour P T Parameshwar Naik has reportedly got transferred police officers and retained the services of his ‘favourite’ officers in Ballari district through 45 recommendation letters between June 2013 and January 2015.

The matter came to light when city-based advocate B Vinod obtained the copies of recommendation letters signed by the minister, under the RTI Act. The revelation assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent transfer of Anupama Shenoy, the DySP of Kudligi in the district, reportedly at the instance of the minister.

In one such letter dated June 10, 2014, addressed to Director General and Inspector General of Police, police headquarters, Nrupatunga Road, Bengaluru, the minister has appealed to the authorities concerned to continue the services of N Rudramuni, DySP of Ballari Rural sub-division and Murugannanavar, DySP of Ballari City, citing their family problems.

In another letter dated September 10, 2014, the minister appealed to the higher officials of the police department to transfer B S Savishankar Naik, DySP, CID, Bengaluru, to Ballari district. The minister says that Savishankar Naik may be posted in place of  Murugannanavar, DySP of Ballari City sub-division, as the services of the former were essential for the city. This way, the minister has misused his powers, Vinod said.

The advocate said that MLAs and ministers submitted 750 recommendation letters to the authorities concerned seeking transfer of police officers across the State in the last year and a half.

As per the verdict of the Supreme Court, only the Police Establishment Board has to deal with the transfers of police officers. The elected representatives have no role in the transfers.

Of the 750 letters, 489 have been accepted. In some of the letters, the minister has even asked the higher officials to post specific persons to the Lokayukta wing.
This shows that Naik left no stone unturned to make sure that police officers above the rank of inspector in Ballari district are those close to him, Vinod said.
DH News Service