Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a scathing critique of the state’s police force on Friday, highlighting serious lapses in investigations, intelligence gathering, and handling of communal disturbances, during a high-level review meeting at the State Police Headquarters in Bengaluru.
Addressing senior officers, the Chief Minister cited specific cases, including the Bidar robbery and the Bengaluru stampede-like incident, to underscore what he called a decline in investigative quality and administrative accountability.
“I have been a legislator since 1983, but I have never seen such a mishandled situation,” Siddaramaiah said, referring to the recent incident in Bengaluru where 11 people died. “Deaths occurred by 3:50 PM, but intelligence failed to provide timely input. Even at 5:45 PM, I was told only one person had died.”
Key Instructions by CM Siddaramaiah:
- Suspension of senior officers was necessary despite personal regret, he said, “because accountability must be enforced.”
- Criticized delays in arrest in cases like the Bidar robbery, even when the suspect was identified.
- Called for swift filing of charge sheets in criminal cases, warning of consequences for administrative inaction.
- Questioned why hate speech and communal unrest in Mangaluru were not met with suo motu police action.
- Directed police to trace those who incite communal violence and ensure strict legal action.
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ಅವರು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಮಹಾ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿರಿಯ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ಸಭೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಪ್ರಗತಿ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) June 27, 2025
ಗೃಹ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಜಿ.ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ್, ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ನಸೀರ್ ಅಹಮದ್, ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ ಶಾಲಿನಿ ರಜನೀಶ್, ಅಪರ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿ… pic.twitter.com/LzIvODVZ1p
“If officers don’t act, we will be forced to act against the officers,” Siddaramaiah warned.
Police Reform and Recruitment:
The CM announced that the recruitment process to fill vacant police posts will begin in the next two months. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining peace and rule of law, stating,
“The law is equal for all — the strong and the weak alike.”
He further reminded officers that:
- Police stations must become more people-friendly
- Rule of law and justice are fundamental in a democratic society
- Police must uphold constitutional values and ensure public confidence in governance
Siddaramaiah concluded by urging the police force to create an environment where criminals fear the law and citizens trust the system.
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