In a significant disclosure highlighting internal accountability challenges, the Karnataka government has confirmed that a substantial number of police personnel in the state are facing criminal proceedings. The revelation comes amid growing public scrutiny over law enforcement conduct.
88 Police Personnel Under Legal Scrutiny
State Home Minister G Parameshwara provided the details in the legislative council on Thursday. He was responding to a question raised by MLC TA Saravan. According to the minister, First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against 88 police officers and personnel under the provisions of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The government has initiated a multi-pronged response against the accused. Some have already been arrested and suspended from duty. For others, departmental inquiries are underway as per the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Procedure) (Amendment) Rules. Parameshwara assured the council that stringent measures are being taken, which could include termination of service if the charges are proven.
"We are taking steps for stringent action, including termination of service wherever warranted," the Home Minister stated unequivocally.
12 Cases Filed for 'Anti-National' Sloganeering
In a separate but related response to MLC CT Ravi, the Home Minister shed light on cases involving alleged anti-national sloganeering. Over the past three years, Karnataka has registered 12 cases related to 'Pakistan Zindabad' sloganeering.
The breakdown of these cases reveals varied origins and statuses. Six cases were registered suo motu by the police, meaning the authorities acted on their own initiative. The remaining six were filed based on formal complaints from the public.
The current status of these 12 cases is as follows:
- Chargesheets have been filed in five cases.
- Investigations are ongoing in three cases.
- 'B' reports, which lead to closure, have been filed in two cases.
- One case saw a 'C' report, where allegations were found to be neither conclusively true nor false.
- One case is pending, awaiting a report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
Accountability and Public Trust
The twin disclosures in the legislative council underscore the government's focus on police accountability. The large number of personnel facing criminal cases under the BNS points to systemic issues that require robust internal mechanisms. Simultaneously, the data on sloganeering cases indicates the state's vigilance on matters of national security and public order.
The actions promised by the Home Minister, including potential dismissals, signal an intent to cleanse the force and uphold the rule of law. These developments are crucial for maintaining public trust in the police institution, especially in a major metropolitan region like Bengaluru. The outcomes of the departmental inquiries and criminal trials will be closely watched as a measure of the efficacy of these accountability measures.
