The High Court on Monday issued a notice to the state government, principal secretary Home Department and Director General and Inspector General of Police on a public interest petition alleging interference by elected representatives in police transfers.
The petition, filed by Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha, mentions several politicians, including Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, former CM BS Yeddyurappa and Union Minister K H Muniyappa.
The petitioners stated that though the transfers are supposed to take place according to the directions of the Police Establishment Board, an independent body headed by the state DGP, the state government was not following its recommendations.
The petitioners claimed that there were several irregularities in the transfers carried out by the government, which transfers officials according to the dictates of elected representatives.
The petitioners also submitted a list of police officers transferred with recommendations of ministers and legislators, and said that in one year, 81 deputy superintendents of police and 17 inspectors were transferred.
They also said there were documents to prove that 80 per cent of the police transfers were being done based on political considerations with the ruling party and legislators eyeing benefits from the transfers.
They sought effective implementation the Police Establishment Board to prevent politicians from interfering with the day-to-day administration of the Police Department.
A Division Bench headed by Justice K Sreedhar Rao issued the notices and adjourned the case for further hearing.