Refusing to be the “endorsing agents” of “politically motivated” transfers, two directors general of police have reportedly sent a missive to Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath on “blatant” violations of the recently amended Karnataka Police Act in postings, transfers and service matters of the police officers.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, DGP, Training, Sushant Mahapatra, an IPS officer of the 1979 batch, and DGP, Police Restructuring, B. Umapathi of the 1981 batch, have alleged several discrepancies in the recent promotions, postings, transfers and service matters of the officers of the rank of inspectors and above, and have asked the government to cancel the “arbitrary” transfers, which were executed without their signatures.
“The PEB (Police Establishment Board) was set up under the Supreme Court guidelines to transfer, post and decide on service matters of officers of the ranks of deputy superintendents of police and below with the objective of keeping political interference at bay.
But in July, over 30 inspectors were promoted to DySP rank without my or Mr. Mahapatra’s knowledge. We are members of the PEB, the DG&IGP is the chairman and the Additional Director General of Police, Administration is the convener.
We feel that promotions and transfers are being carried out under the old system and not on the recommendations of the PEB,” said Mr. Umapathi adding that the PEB is only for namesake.
“Under the amended Act, the government has to consider the recommendations of the PEB on service and operational matters of senior police officers from the SPs to the ADGPs; their posting from executive to non-executive posts, but it seems that the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms is carrying out these functions,” alleged Dr Umapathi.
“I am the second senior-most IPS officer in the state, but I have been continuously given a non-executive and ex-cadre posts,” rued Mr Mahapatra.