‘Raising of hand by CM’ Siddaramaiah left me shocked, family disturbed: Additional Superintendent

Additional Superintendent of Police Narayan Baramani has clarified that his request for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) still stands and is currently under consideration by the home department.

Baramani told reporters on Thursday that he had not withdrawn his VRS application and was awaiting the government’s decision.

“I have not withdrawn my request. If the government approves it, I will proceed with voluntary retirement. If it is rejected, I will decide on my future course of action,” he said adding that he had continued to perform his duties diligently in the meantime.

Baramani submitted his VRS request about a month ago, citing humiliation after an incident involving CM Siddaramaiah at a protest rally organised by the Congress in Belagavi on April 28.

The officer had been deputed to Belagavi from Dharwad on official duty at the time.

The letter for VRS request says the CM made the controversial hand gesture, a moment that he described in detail in his application.

A copy of the letter has gone viral on social media. The letter, running into three pages, is addressed to the additional chief secretary, department of home affairs (police services).

According to it, Baramani was assigned to oversee the stage arrangements during the protest rally.

During Siddaramaiah’s speech, four or five women showed black flags and raised slogans. The CM stopped his speech and, pointing towards Baramani, shouted, “Hey! Who’s the SP here? Come here!” In response, he went up to the stage. The CM then allegedly raised his hand in a sudden gesture.

“This incident left me deeply shocked,” Baramani wrote in his letter.

“My entire family has been mentally disturbed ever since. Despite this, neither the chief minister nor any other government official on his behalf, nor even senior officials from our own department, made any effort to console or address the issue. Even my colleagues did not condemn the insult I faced,” he said.

He said, “I have been publicly humiliated and blamed for something I did not do. Left with no other option, I am submitting this request for voluntary retirement. I humbly request that it be accepted”.

Following the submission of his VRS letter, Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara had summoned Baramani to Bengaluru. The CM is said to have urged him not to proceed with the VRS.

Narayan Baramani

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Narayan Baramani
Additional Superintendent of Police

“I have been publicly humiliated and blamed for something I did not do. Left with no other option I am submitting this request for voluntary retirement. I humbly request that it be accepted.