DKS calls for DGP's ' arrest', threatens action when in power

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar on Tuesday called for the removal and arrest of Director General of Police (DGP) Praveen Sood, even threatening action against the top cop once Congress comes to power.

He said he is angry with Sood for allowing an entrance named after Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda to be erected in Mandya on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the district to inaugurate the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway.

Sangh Parivar ideologues hold that the two figures had killed 18th century monarch Tipu Sultan, a claim vehemently denied by historians.

The entrance named after the chieftains had been replaced with one bearing the name of Vokkaliga pontiff Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji after opposition by JD(S) and Congress to the former. Shivakumar however held that the erecting of the posters is an actionable offence.

“That DG is a nalayak (incompetent). We had respect for Praveen Sood earlier. Statements made earlier by some should have led to cases. Now, a case should be registered against him (Sood) immediately. He should be removed and then arrested. The election commission should step in and remove him.

“He has been serving for three years. How much more time should he stay? He has filed some 25 cases against us for our (legitimate) struggles. He hasn’t registered a single case against them (BJP and Sangh leaders). Let our government come to power. We will take action even against him. We will act against all the police officers who have protected this government,” a visibly upset Shivakumar said.