Bengaluru: Former IPS officer Kempaiah was targeted by the leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, K S Eshwarappa, and Janata Dal (Secular) floor leader, H D Kumaraswamy, in the Legislative Assembly during acrimonious debates on government’s inaction in the aftermath of suicide of deputy superintendent of police, MK Ganapati, on Tuesday.
In the Assembly, Mr Kumaraswamy wondered why a departmental inquiry against Mr Ganapathi was allowed to drag on for five years when it should have been completed within four or at the most six months.
The JD(S) leader, who demanded that the inquiry officer be asked to explain the delay, also argued that going by the various judgments of the Supreme Court and High Court, the police should have got a complaint from the TV channel to which the late officer had given an interview and not his father.
Regretting that there was no protection for honest officers in the state, Mr Kumaraswamy claimed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah could not give protection to a deputy commissioner of his own district.
Referring to the case of police inspector, G N Mohan, Mr Kumaraswamy said while the FIR against Mr Siddaramaiah's son was filed by sub- inspector, Yasmin Taj on the orders of the then Mysore SP, Mr Mohan was suspended within 24 hours of Mr Siddaramaiah assuming office.
He also accused the government of using strong arm tactics to quell the protest planned by the police some weeks ago by arresting Mr Shashidhar, who was spearheading it and slapping sedition charges against him. “He is now languishing in jail without bail,” he observed.
Ugrappa: George must quit and face probe
The clamour for Bengaluru development minister K J George’s resignation within the ruling Congress grew louder with party MLC V S Ugrappa on Tuesday recalling how home minister R L Jalappa had quit the cabinet of late CM Ramakrishna Hegde following allegations of his involvement in the murder of advocate Rashid to drive home his point that any minister facing serious charges must resign pending an inquiry.
Mr Ugrappa, however, hastened to add that his statement had nothing to do with deputy superintendent of police M K Ganapati who accused Mr George of mental torture before committing suicide last week.
Participating in a debate in the Legislative Council on Mr Ganapati's suicide, Mr Ugrappa said Mr Jalappa resigned on being accused of involvement in the death of advocate Rashid. He, however, got a clean chit from the Supreme Court. Earlier, leader of Opposition K S Eshwarappa and former minister, Mr V Somanna, urged Mr George to resign.
The issue of Mr Ganapati’s suicide could well dominate the proceedings at a meeting of the CLP here Wednesday with many legislators set to express their ire about how government failed to contain the damage to the image of the party. Though they have portrayed a picture of unity within both Houses, many legislators want Mr George to resign in order to regain people’s confidence.
