Bengaluru: The senior-most Additional Director General of Police Prem Shankar Meena is the new chief of the Lokayukta police. More than a month after the government had transferred the previous Lokayukta police chief – ADGP H.N.S. Rao and posted Mr. Meena in his place, Mr Rao on Monday handed over the charge to Mr Meena after the Lokayukta reportedly issued his internal movement order.
The delay in the transfer and posting of the two senior cops was because of the alleged lapse of protocol by the government, which had not sought prior permission from the Lokayukta for transferring the Lokayukta police chief.
Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao was in Delhi, when the government order was issued on September 12 on Mr Rao’s transfer. Justice Rao had raised objection as he was not consulted by the government. Later, freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging the transfer of Mr Rao. He questioned the transfer on the ground that the government had not consulted the Lokayukta.
Though there are no ground rules that the government should consult the Lokayukta on transfer of the Lokayukta police chief, such has been a well established practice in the past.
Following the court direction the Advocate General met the Lokayukta and sought his permission for transferring Mr Rao, who has been functioning as ADGP, Lokayukta police since November 2011. He has now been posted to Communication, Logistics & Police Modernisation.
