With Opposition stepping up pressure, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told the Legislative Assembly today that the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner has been instructed to arrest and file a case against Congress leader Narayanaswamy, a close associate of Byrati Basavaraj, K.R. Puram MLA, who allegedly poured petrol in a Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike office, and threatened to set it on fire after officials refused to register a disputed property in his name.
In a reply to the issue raised by the Opposition BJP during zero hour on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy said Narayanaswamy had committed a major crime. Narayanaswamy has been absconding after a video clip of the attack went viral on Tuesday and BBMP officials filed a police complaint.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar accused the government of giving protection to the Congress leader and alleged that “Goonda Raj” prevailed in the City. The police were unable to nab the accused though the incident took place on Friday at the BBMP ward office, Horamavu, in the city, he said.
Referring to Home Minister’s Advisor Kempaiah, Mr. Shettar said Mr. Ramalinga Reddy has no control over the Home Department. The “Super CM” has been handling the Home Department’s administration, he alleged.
Senior member S. Suresh Kumar and Y.A. Narayanaswamy (both BJP) hit out at the government for shunting out Assistant Revenue Officer Chengal Rayappa from the BBMP office at Horamavu. Fearing action against them, the officials declined to give complaints to the government. The government punished former Deputy Superintendent of Police Anupama Shenoy, for raising her voice against former Minister Parameshwar Naik in Ballari district, they said.
Similarly, the government shunted out IAS Officer C. Shika from Mysuru after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s aide and Congress leader Mari Gowda allegedly abused and threatened her when she was Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Kumar said.
Instead of rewarding officer Chengal Rayappa, who declined registration of the property under litigation, the government transferred him from the Horamavu BBMP office, Mr. Shettar said.
The Congress has suspended Narayanaswamy, who is a member of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
