Dr G Parameshwar pays a surprise visit to Madivala police station

Bengaluru: From senior cops to lower rung officials, the cops at Madivala police station were tense for over three hours after they were visited by none other than the state home minister Dr. G. Parameshwar on Tuesday morning in Madivala police station in South-East Bengaluru.

Mr. Parameshwar paid a surprise visit to the Madivala police station at 9 am leaving the cops miffed. He spent nearly three hours at the station and sought details in wake of rise in crime in the jurisdiction specially a significant rise in chain-snatching and rowdy murder cases.

According to sources, during his unannounced visit, Mr. Parameshwar asked DCP (South-East) Rohini Katoch Sepat why the Madivala station was registering highest number of crime cases. He also checked whether any person was illegally detained. Right from checking the functioning of walkie-talkies to hearing the grievances of police personnel, Mr. Parameshwar took everyone to task. He also reprimanded police personnel who were in mufti and directed them to be in uniform. He reportedly said that the police are known for their discipline and questioned Ms. Sepat as to why the constables on duty were in mufti and not in proper uniform.

As soon as the news of the state home minister’s visit to Madivala police station spread in the morning, the senior cops including Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh rushed to the station. Additional Commissioner of police (East) P. Harisekaran along with the DCP briefed the home minister at the station giving details of recent cases registered and over-all police functioning in the jurisdiction. He also collected details about the number of rifles and bullet proof jackets provided to the station.

Home MInister Dr. G Parameshwar at Madivala Police Station (Photo: DC)

To send a strong message, Mr. Parameshwar also warned Ms. Sepat to put a stop to the increasing number of crime rate in Madivala police jurisdiction. Speaking to reporters after finishing the inspection, Mr. Parameshwar said, “I will find out solutions to the problems of constables pertaining to their salaries, education of their children and other allowances. At any given time, they should face situation boldly. I have also collected details of the rifles, bulletproof jackets and have directed the officers to keep them in place.”  

It can be noted that before taking charge, the state home minister had clearly said that he will be in touch with everything pertaining to law and order in the city and will also make surprise visits to stations, offices any time.

Madivala police station to be bifurcated

• During his unannounced visit to the station, the state home minister also sought details of the gang-rape incident which took place on early October involving a 22-year-old woman who was raped by a tempo traveller driver and his assistant.
• Madivala is the largest police station in Bengaluru City and hence the crime rate is bit high here. The government has decided to bifurcate the station and create Bommanahalli police station to reduce the pressures on Madivala Police Station. There has already been a government notification and soon Bommanahalli Police Station would be open. The Home Minister was updated about this by the senior cops, said a source.

Police Commissioner warns station house officers

After the visit of state home minister Mr. G Parameshwar, the city police commissioner, N.S. Megharikh has issued a stern warning to the Station House Officers (SHOs) to maintain law and order in wake of crimes, such as chain-snatching, robbery and clashes over land deals on the rise in the city.

“I have received plenty of complaints from the general public on the behaviour of the police officers in Bengaluru. The department will initiate disciplinary action against them if they continue this kind of behaviour,” Mr. Megharikh said.

The city top cop also said that of late, there have been fatal attacks on real estate agents in the city and  murder of rowdy elements murder have gone up. In addition, the number of chain-snatching incidents too has seen a significant rise.

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