Police officers clashing with their senior colleagues seems to have become a big worry and embarrassment for the political establishment in the State.
Since 2014, there have been numerous cases involving senior police officials and even bureaucrats making serious allegations against their colleagues, including the latest by DIG (Prisons) D. Roopa.
The report submitted by Ms. Roopa accusing her senior officials, including Director-General of Police (Prisons) H.N. Sathyanarayana Rao, of giving preferential treatment to AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala has left the police force and the State government red in the face, said sources. “This close to the elections, the report highlighting irregularities in the prison can be used as fodder by the Opposition,” said senior Congress leaders.
Earlier this year, a clash between IPS officer K.S.R. Charan Reddy, who heads the special investigation team, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajay Hilori allegedly led to details of legal intercepts being leaked to the media. In October 2014, IAS officer V. Rashmi, who at the time was posted as Director of the Administrative Training Institute, filed a report on the irregularities and misuse of funds to the tune of over ₹100 crore by her predecessor IAS officer Amita Prasad. Soon after, Ms. Rashmi was transferred out of ATI.
In some instances, ego clashes have turned into all-out brawls. Earlier in 2014, IPS officer Ravindranath, who was heading KSRP at the time, got into a public brawl with then city Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar outside his office. In July 2015, senior IPS officer Sushanth Mahapatra, who was heading the State Police Housing Corporation, accused three top police officers, including the serving Police Commissioner of Bengaluru, of corrupt practices and filed a complaint with the Lokayukta.
Similar instances have been reported between senior bureaucrats as well. For instance, KAS officer Mathai in April 2017 filed a complaint with the Lokayukta against four IAS officers for allegedly harassing him.
All these cases have caused a serious dent to the credibility of the administration and an “general impression of rampant corruption and failure of the administration” among people, according to senior government officials. It also seems to suggest that a transparent system to redress internal issues, even between officials at the highest level, is lacking. And, that there is also a lack of discipline amongst officers “who use the media and public platform” to settle disputes with their superiors or subordinates.
