While the City Police are still trying to track down the accused who allegedly attacked a Sub-inspector (SI) and his friend near Richmond Town, the issue of police officers not carrying service revolver has resurfaced.
A senior police official said there is no hard and fast rule for a police officer to carry a weapon. But an officer on duty is expected to carry his service revolver, he added.
SI Girish, who was robbed on Friday night, was not only unarmed, but also failed to note down the registration number of the two motorcycles used by the muggers.
Additional Commissioner (Law and Order) Kamal Pant, who is supervising the robbery case, said the incident did not warrant any disciplinary action against the SI.
He also said there is no confirmation about the nature of firearm reportedly used by the muggers.
“The case is still being probed and there is a progress which cannot be divulged. Regarding the firearm allegedly used in the crime scene, it is true that no traces of bullet were found near the spot. But there was sound and smoke at the time of fire and it was assumed that they opened fire in air,” Pant said.
Retired ACP B B Ashok Kumar, who was involved in 18 encounters said, had Girish carried his service revolver he would not have been helpless.
“The right to private defence is something that everyone enjoys. When a police officer is robbed and fails to protect himself it, certainly sends wrong signals. When former Commissioner H T Sangliana issued a circular to all officials to carry their service revolvers it was widely criticised. In my personal view, an official, in uniform or not, has to be well-equipped. Otherwise, there is no difference between mugging involving a common man and a police officer,” he said.
Kumar added that even retired officers should carry weapons depending on their nature of work.
Girish’s case is not the first one. Earlier, retired SP K S Thammaiah was brutally murdered at Kenchenahali Gate near Devanahalli by hired criminals. Former Commissioner Kodandaramaiah was robbed in his car by criminal Nasru and his men, he said.
Kumar said the criminals did not know that their target were former police officers in both these incidents.
Retired DGP S T Ramesh, said, “It robbery was a freak incident. The culprits must be regretting to have targeted a cop because it becomes an utmost import case for the City Police. There is no hard and fast rule that a police officer should carry his service revolver always.”
