Police dept reeling under corruption: Ex-top cop

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Further triggering the raging ‘cash for police postings’ controversy, former police commissioner of the city Bhaskar Rao criticised both the ruling BJP government and the opposition Congress party for the corruption in the Karnataka police department.

Through a video clip shared on social media, Bhaskar Rao expressed grief over the death of the suspended Circle Inspector HL Nandish due to a cardiac arrest. He said, “It is sad to say that many government agencies including the police department are reeling under corruption due to which many officers have been suffering.

Lakhs and crores of rupees are being paid and received for each posting across the state, from Bidar to Gundlupet,” he said. Rao blamed the local ministers and authorities for their inability to curb the bribery. “This issue cannot be brushed off so easily,” he said.

However, he said that it is not right to blame only the ruling BJP government for the corruption. The Congress party is to be held equally responsible, as the corruption culture had existed even before BJP came into power in Karnataka, he said.

Previously, Rao had also served as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in KSRP, intern a l security Division and then in Railways. Currently, the Vice President of the Aam Aadmi Party in the state, the ex-top cop added a heartfelt message to the police officers to take care of their health.

“If at all the corruption is not curbed, and even if you have paid large sums of money for the postings, please maintain your health because an officer can replace another after his death. But remember that your family needs you,” he said