No clarity on what made sub-inspector attempt suicide, says commissioner

Roopa's parents say workplace pressure led to incident

Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharikh on Wednesday said the police will commence the investigation into the suicide attempt by Vijayanagar sub-inspector Roopa Tamabd after recording her statement.

“Once she recovers completely, we will take her statement and proceed with the investigation. For now, we are not initiating any action against anyone,’’ Megharikh told Deccan Herald. The police need to get a clarity on what led her to attempt suicide, he added. Roopa who consumed over dose of some medicine at her Rajajinagar residence on Tuesday is still not able to speak.

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters that he had sought a detailed report on the incident. The report will be prepared by the Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate, he added.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Roopa was not in good terms with the Vijayanagar station inspector Sanjeev Gowda. The government would take suitable action after the police commissionerate submits its report, Parameshwara said.

According to Dr R Ravindra, medical director, Suguna Hospital where Roopa has been admitted, her condition is improving. “Her conscious level has improved. However, she is still in the ICU and is under observation.” 

If there is an improvement in her condition, Roopa would be shifted to the ward on Thursday. “She is drowsy. She had consumed an excessive dose of paracetamol.

Whether it has affected her liver or not would be known only after 36 to 40 hours. Hence, we have kept her under observation,” he said.

It is said that an argument between Roopa and Sanjeev Gowda over a mobile phone recovered from a rape suspect forced her to attempt suicide on Tuesday. Thus, senior police officers questioned Sanjeev Gowda and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Vijayanagar Sub-division S K Umesh over the ‘misplaced’ mobile phone.

The two officers informed their superiors that they had no knowledge about the phone, sources said.

‘She was under pressure’’
Roopa’s parents, Karibasappa and Shanthamma said workplace pressure had forced their daughter to attempt suicide. “Roopa chose to be a police officer while we wanted her to be a lawyer,” they said.

Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Manjula Manasa, after visting Roopa at the hospital said: “We have asked the DCP to submit a report. I spoke to Roopa’s husband and he told me that she was being pressued by a senior officer. He also mentioned about the adverse entries made against her in the station diary. We have asked him to file a RTI application and obtain details of what is mentioned the diary” she added.

‘Sensitive people should not join police dept’
Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Chairperson Meera C Saxena on Wednesday said those who lack courage and toughness to withstand pressure and challenges in Police department should better not opt for such jobs.
Replying to a query from reporters on suicide attempt by Roopa, she said the police face tremendous pressure from government, media and public over crime detection. Therefore, sensitive people should avoid joining the police service, she said, DHNS reports from Hubballi.
Roopa should not have attempted suicide after a reported verbal duel with a higher officer. She needs counselling, Saxena noted. The Commission is conducting sensitisation programmes for the police personnel in all the districts to help them to get relief from stress.
The Commission has sought a report from the DG and IGP on the suicide of DySP M K Ganapathi after it received a complaint from the late police officer’s wife and son, she said.


Details of station diary
Sanjeev Gowda: “Roopa is performing her duties promptly. I called her several times with regard to the mobile phone. But she did not turn up. I had to go to her cabin and call her. When asked about the mobile phone, she gave unsatisfactory answers and failed to follow the orders of the inspector.”

Roopa: “Even if there is no fault on my part, the inspector is harassing me. He even shouted at me in front of the other staff and the accused. It has affected me emotionally and mentally. I will cry my feelings out in front of Ajay Hilori, DCP (West), and City police Commissioner N S Megharikh.”

Sanjeev Gowda: “I am abiding by the law and following the rules.  I have not harassed anyone emotionally or mentally.”

Roopa: “I'm going to the Commissioner of Police to complain about the torture meted out to me.”

Probe into SI’s suicide bid to begin after she recovers.