Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 17: Alok Kumar, city commissioner of police, who was moved out of the post within 47 days of assuming charge and transferred as additional director general of police to accommodate incumbent commissioner Bhaskar Rao, has since withdrawn his objection to the posting of IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, in his place. He had questioned the order of the state government dated August 2 by petitioning Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

This is a curious development, going by the stand taken earlier by Alok Kumar to fight for dignity, not post. His application had been moved before the bench chaired by CAT members, K B Suresh and C V Shankar for consideration.

Advocates representing Alok Kumar filed a memo, expressing the desire to withdraw the petition. But no reasons were attributed for this decision to withdraw the petition in the memo, which angered the members of CAT. They warned initially to impose fine on Alok Kumar.

But advocate general representing the state, Prabhulinga Navadagi, who was present at the time, requested the bench not to impose fine in view of the fact that the petitioner is a senior officer. The bench then consented for the withdrawal of the objection. During the previous hearing, the bench had refused to issue stay for the appointment of Bhaskar Rao.

Alok Kumar had been appointed as city police commissioner on June 17 this year. He was transferred within a month and a half. He had appealed the CAT to cancel the order, arguing that it was an illegal step and that justice has not been upheld in transferring him. He had said that the transfer had violated different sections of Police Act and IPS grade officer’s service rules.