Sources say former police commissioner Shankar Bidari had differences with the CM's son over the latter's interference in the working of police department, which may be the reason he was unceremoniously replaced
Sources say former police commissioner Shankar Bidari had differences with the CM's son over the latter's interference in the working of police department, which may be the reason he was unceremoniously replaced
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In a move that came as a surprise to Bangaloreans, the state government transferred Shankar Bidari to the post of Additional Director General of Police (railways) yesterday.
According to sources, the ongoing rift between Bidari and CM B S Yeddyurappa's son Vijendra is alleged to be the cause for the move.
After handing over charge, Bidari said he was sure that the new police commissioner Mirji would work more effectively to keep the pride of the city intact
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Bidari will take over from Jyoti Pakash Mirji as ADGP, while the former moves in to take the post of city police commissioner.
Punished?
It appears that Bidari himself was ill informed about the move as he handed over the baton to successor Mirji, sans a uniform. Though not a rule, it is a customary practice that officers handing over the baton should be in uniform.
Sources said that though Bidari is close to the CM due to the caste factor, he and the Yeddyurappa's son Vijendra, were at loggerheads. The CM's son, it is alleged, has been interfering with the police department often.
Though there have been confrontations between the two in this regard, things worsened when Vijendra allegedly influenced his fatheru00a0 to shift Bidari with immediate effect, for not obeying.
Bidari's confrontations with Home Minister R Ashok on a few occasions may have also helped Yeddyurappa to take the decision.
However, after handing over, a visibly upset Bidari hurriedly left the office on the pretext of assuming his new role as ADGP, which Mirji was heading earlier.
To embarrass Bidari
Senior officials averred that Bidari, who will complete his three-year term in July this year, is expecting a promotion to DGP.
A senior officer requesting anonymity said, "He could have been given an extension and allowed to continue till he was promoted, but posting him to non-executive post may be to embarrass him for not obliging political bosses."
Other officers however, say that the move by the government is very meticulous. They feel that he has been posted to a non-executive post for two months and he will be retrenched to a higher position shortly.
This they say is to silence rumors for those who feel that Yeddyurappa was favoring Bidari with a plum posting.
After handing over charge, Bidari said he is sure that his successor will work more effectively to keep the pride of the city intact.
Reacting to the sudden decision by the government, he said in a diplomatic tone, "I am a government servant and my duty is to work as expected, wherever I am posted."
Thank you
After assuming charge, Mirji thanked the government and the CM for giving him the opportunity. He said that his priority, as city police chief, is to keep up the trust of the government and work hard to meet the city's expectations.
"With the new post, my priority is to maintain law and order and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for Bangaloreans," he said.
Recalling his prior posting, Mirji said that he remembers how he took charge as deputy commissioner of police (HQ), and since then has grown enough to handle the needs of the city.
Replying to a query on the nightlife of the city, he said, "We are for the people and if they demand some facility, which is within the legal framework, we are bound to do it."
Warning anti-social elements, he said that the police has been tough and will be tougher against such activities.
He added that the jurisdictional police officers would be held responsible and dealt with severely for any illegal activities happening in their area.
Know the new CP
Mirji hails from Balagamdu in Madhugiri taluk of Tumkur district. He passed his Karnataka Administrative Service exam in 1975 and joined Karnataka State Police Service in 1976.
In his 35 years of service, he worked in Bangalore and other districts as Assistant Commissioner of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Mirji also headed the State Intelligence Wing as IGP and ADGP. He served as IGP Central Range and also as the STF chief of Karnataka to take on and bring to an end the Veerappan menace in a joint effort with Tamil Nadu STF.
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