BENGALURU: Several retired IPS officers and opposition leaders have criticised the government’s decision to suspend senior police officials over the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, calling it an unfair and unjust move that will dent the morale of the force.
On what basis, from the city police commissioner to the police inspector, have been suspended, the former officers asked. It is for the first time that a Bengaluru city police commissioner has been suspended.
Speaking to TNIE, former DG & IGP ST Ramesh termed such mass suspensions, including the suspension of the Bengaluru police commissioner, as unfair. “The suspension of the commissioner, additional commissioner, DCP, ACP and an inspector without even a preliminary inquiry to establish a prima facie case is unjust,” he said.
He pointed out that police personnel had been on the streets from Wednesday night to the wee hours of Thursday without rest. “There was no intelligence failure, yes, but heavy police deployment was made near Vidhana Soudha, when the crowd was actually building up near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Much more police personnel were needed and there was little time to mobilise them from nearby districts,” he said, adding that the Bengaluru City Police is already understaffed.
He further said he had heard that police officials had requested the organisers and the government to hold the celebration on Sunday instead of June 4. “Who overruled that suggestion?” he asked.
Calling the decision “totally unfair and unjust,” he said the government had made the police a scapegoat. “In my opinion, most of the suspended officers are honest hard working and sincere.” The action of the government is bound to leave the police force not only of Bengaluru but also of the entire state demoralised, he added.
Former IGP Gopal Hosur said the government’s decision is unfortunate. “If officers are suspended over the stampede incident, it should happen only after the findings of the judicial inquiry, as announced by the CM. Suspending them without a proper investigation is not the right decision,” he said. He added that the police were being made scapegoats. “Suspension is not a punishment, but it affects the morale of the police force,” Hosur said.
The government’s move was also slammed by former CM BS Yediyurappa, who charged that it was shameful that the state government, to hide its failure, had made the police officers scapegoats. If the CM, DCM and home minister had any morality, they should step down immediately.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka said, “People of Karnataka are demanding justice, not scapegoats. In the wake of severe public backlash and outrage, the government is now desperately looking for scapegoats.”