MANGALORE : Reforms in the police department seems to be a mirage as far as Karnataka is concerned. In fact, the state implemented the SC ruling on reforms in the police department unwillingly and also stands in the bottom of the list of states as far as effective implementation of the same is concerned.

The action of the Cm’s office in withholding the transfer orders of 64 DySPs issued by he Police Establishment Board and the Home Minister openly defending the action, has not only kick started a nation-wide debate but also a controversy.

Acharya saying before the media that “ The government has the right to withhold the transfers. No one can question it. The Supreme Court has only given recommendations with regard to reforms in police department,” has raised many an eyebrow.

He in turn has even hurled an allegation against the Board saying “ the transfer orders issued by the Board has itself violated the Supreme Court’s nine guideline.”

He further defended the Government’s action saying “ We are reconsidering the action of the Board. In a democracy the government is supreme and the CM has the authority to withhold any transfer.”

It is believed that the CM was unhappy with the DGP and Board Chairman Ajay Kumar Singh who issued the transfer orders despite his directive to first discuss the matter with the ruling party legislators before finalizing the list.

An English daily from Bangalore has even reported that some police officials have already expressed fears that there were chances of the government dissolving the Board that has failed to heed to it. The reason which the government may cite for the same, in the event of such an action, is anxiously awaited.

According to another report from Delhi, the Union Home Ministry has sought an explanation from the government on its action of withholding the transfer orders.

The state government move has only proved that the government was not interested having a Board that functioned independently.

Meanwhile, DGP Ajaykumar Singh has said that there had been no difference of opinion among the Board members on the transfer of the DySPs. He also clarified that all decisions taken by the Board until now, had been unanimous.

On the other hand, a few senior police officials have reportedly commented so – “ The CM has no authority to withhold the transfer order issued by a constitutional body like the Police Establishment Board merely become some legislators were unhappy with the transfer of the DySPs who worked for their interest. In case a particular officer is against his transfer, then he can question it in the KAT or the High Court. The CM or the Home Minister have no authority to exercise a right which they do not have.”

“Which law states that the MLAs concerned should be contacted while transferring police officials?,” they have further questioned.

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