BENGALURU: As police suicides rattle the government, former IPS officer Kempaiah’s role in the police department has again come under criticism.
Kempaiah is adviser to the home minister. The opposition describes him as as an extra-constitutional authority functioning as a ‘super home minister.’ They are gunning for his removal.
Not surprisingly, no one in the police department is willing to go on record with an opinion on Kempaiah, one of the most powerful men in the Siddaramaiah government.
Home Minister G Parameshwara is not comfortable with the adviser, appointed during his predecessor KJ George’s tenure. Even someone as senior as Parameshwara is finding it difficult to get Kempaiah out of the way.
“Why would Parameshwara seek the high command’s help if he could speak to Siddaramaiah about Kempaiah?’’ a government source wondered.
Parameshwara has reportedly written to Delhi, asking for Kempaiah’s removal. The AICC has sought a report on the developments.
The appointment seems to have done more harm than good for Siddaramaiah. Kempaiah is being blamed for everything that goes wrong in police circles. A retired officer in the know says Kempaiah has complicated life for Siddaramaiah.
In many recent cases, the failure of the top brass was apparent. They had no clue about the garment employees’ strike which turned violent, or the brewing discontent in their own rank and file. Thankfully for Siddaramaiah, the police strike fizzled out at the last moment.
But other problems are looming: an upright woman DySP has resigned, and two officers of similar rank have allegedly killed themselves within a week.
“A clear chain of command is essential in the police department. Without defining the responsibility of an adviser, the government has created a muddle,’’ said a former state police chief.
The DG&IGP is the boss, but the current incumbent, Om Prakash, is not asserting his authority, he remarked.
“Kempaiah and Omprakash are batch-mates. Things don’t work even when a senior is appointed as adviser. How can a contemporary sit above him advising the home minister?’’ said a former DGP.
Kempaiah’s proximity to Siddaramaiah gives him unbridled authority, of the kind even the home minister and the state police chief don’t enjoy. That is the reason for the animosity.
Colleagues who have worked with Kempaiah describe him as efficient, and capable of getting things done. As head of the Special Task Force (STF) to nab forest brigand Veerappan, he had become popular. A Kannada feature film was made about him.
Kempaiah’s track record, however, is not free of controversies. The Lokayukta had raided his house and he had been accused of getting his job with the help of a fake caste certificate.
Former chief minister and state JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy minces no words when he says Kempaiah’s job is to handle transfers and postings. It is no secret that policemen pay for choice postings.