BENGALURU: IN a move that took many by surprise, Praveen Sood, who was appointed as Bengaluru police commissioner just seven months ago, was transferred on Monday evening.
T Suneel Kumar, managing director, Police Housing Corporation, is the new city police chief.
Sood has been posted as ADGP in the Communication, Logistics and Modernization wing of the department — a non-executive post. Suneel Kumar had earlier worked in the city as Additional Commissioner (Law and Order). On Monday evening, he took charge from Sood.
Though it is not clear why Sood, an ADGP rank officer who was due for promotion as DGP in October this year, was transferred, there is speculation that tough action by city police against pro-Kannada activists who had defaced Hindi signages did not go down well with the government.
Sood’s stint is the shortest-ever as city police commissioner, barring those who were promoted while serving as commissioners.
Earlier in July, police had arrested several pro-Kannada activists, sending out a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated. Sources in the Home Department, however, said action against activists may not have been a reason for shifting Sood, who has been able to provide visible and effective leadership to the force.
Several senior officers were surprised by the move, but refused to speculate on the reasons. “There could be some other reasons but as of now it is not clear what prompted government action,” said a senior officer in the department. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah currently holds Home portfolio.
Sood, a 1986-batch officer, had taken over as police chief when cases of alleged mass molestation on New Year’s eve had put the department on the back foot. He has been credited with upgrading police control room, integrating helplines and launching patrol vehicles to attend to distress calls by women.
Creating a peaceful atmosphere with effective policing is at the top of the agenda for the city’s new Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar. After taking charge from Praveen Sood on Monday, he told mediapersons that his objective is to make policing less intruding and more public-friendly.
“I believe in teamwork and will focus on controlling illegal activities across the city. Safety of women and children is of utmost importance. We will take up new initiatives. Cyber crime incidents are increasing day by day. So, the cyber crime team will be trained by experts,” he said.
He added that he will hold discussions with the state government regarding the appointment of women police personnel in order to prevent crimes against women and children.
Reacting to the recent incidents of Pro Kannada activists blackening Hindi signboards in Metro stations, Suneel Kumar said police will not tolerate any breach of law. T Suneel Kumar joined the police service in 1989. He hails from Chitoor in Andhra Pradesh. He was the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) in Bengaluru city for two-and-a-half years.
Gone in 35 minutes
In an unprecedented step, former DG (Prisons) H N Sathyanarayana Rao assumed charge and retired on the same day. He took charge at 7.15pm on Monday as DGP of Fire Force and by 7.50pm, he left the office as it was the last day of his service.
I only follow govt order: Praveen Sood
Bengaluru: “I never questioned when I took charge, so now also I won’t,” said Sood, soon after handing over charge to Kumar. Sood told reporters that though he was in charge for a short period, he had gained great satisfaction. Pointing out that only a few IPS officers become Commissioners, he said, “I have done my best during this period. My target was to empower citizens and make the police accessible. I have worked every day to do things best for the department.” Sood said during his tenure, ‘Namma 100’ became a successful tool for the public Regarding his transfer, Sood said, “It is a government decision so I will follow the order. During my tenure, the city police took a special initiative on drug peddling and overstay of foreign nationals.” Speaking of his relationship with other police officials, the outgoing Commissioner said he was easily accessible to constables. He would also visit police quarters to listen to the problems, he said. Sood said it was his idea to introduce the Motor Vehicle Theft Act. Recalling the Kammanahalli incident, in which a woman was allegedly molested by two men on January 4 this year, Sood said, “We solved it without any FIR being lodged by the victim.”