Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 8: The state government seemed to be lying in wait for the gram panchayat (GP) election to conclude, before undertaking major revamp exercise in the police department. Sources say that officials linked with lottery and cricket betting scandals might face the ignominy of being shifted to posts of lesser significance.

The government was willing to act immediately against the officials perceived to be guilty in these two scandals that have sullied the image of the government. However, because of the election code of conduct that was in force, its hands were tied. Now that the election is over, the government is eager to show to the officers that it does not want officers with blots in their service in key posts.

About two months ago, the government had affected transfer of 280 inspectors, but had to stay away from transferring police officers serving in rural areas, as panchayat election was announced. A number of police officers of the rank of superintendents of police (SP), deputy SPs, and sub-inspectors have been serving at their present rural postings since the last two to three years. To avoid police officers from getting entrenched at one place, which enables them to indulge in illegal activities, officials who have been serving long terms in one place are sure to be shifted this time. Such officers from Mangaluru, Hubli-Dharwad and Belagavi commissionerates are among those who will be shunted out.

The government has sit up and taken cognizance of the fact that its image has taken severe beating because of the lottery scandal. Therefore, this time around, political pulls and pressures will not be considered, and efficient officers will get strategoc postings, sources said.

It is also reliably learnt that it has been decided to shift two inspector general of police (IGP)level officers, who are facing accusations of being involved with lottery scandal. Former state chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, had made corruption charges against central range IGP, Arun Chakravarthi, and north east IGP, Sunil Agarwal. BJP had supported his claim, and the government is likely to shift them at the earliest to blunt the plan of the opposition to floor the government on cricket betting and lottery issues during the next assembly session.

Based on seniority, over 50 inspectors may get promotion as DySPs. A number of officials, who are due for promotions, and whose promotions had been kept on hold on account of GP election, have been knocking at the doors of the department to remind it of this fact, and the department is keen to oblige them, it is gathered.