Bhaskar Rao orders probe after audio on lobbying goes viral
Nine min clip has the police officer purportedly talking to a Cong leader.
BENGALURU: Three audio clips allegedly containing conversations between a power broker and city’s top cop Bhaskar Rao, in connection with lobbying for the post of police commissioner has created ripples in police circles.
The audio clip is said to have been recorded some six months back allegedly containing the voice recording of Bhaskar Rao and a power broker close to Congress heavyweight Ahmed Patel.
However, the top cop has categorically rejected the allegation of him lobbying for the post. “It’s false and fictitious. The allegations are baseless. It will be inquired and action will be taken,” Rao said.
The case will be investigated by the Joint Commissioner (Crime) Sandeep Patil as per the directions of the DG & IG Neelamani Raju.
The clip: Three audio clips totalling a duration of 9.03 minutes got leaked on Thursday. It is said to be recorded about six months ago. Allegedly, in the audio clip top cop Bhaskar Rao has spoken to one Faraz who is close to Congress heavyweight and close confidante of Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi.
Top cop Rao is allegedly found to be pleading Faraz to get him the post of the commissioner of police at any cost.
“Positive karana hi hai. Sab kuch uska (Alok Kumar) paas jaa raha hai,” (We have to get it positive. Everything is going his way), says Rao.
Faraz comforts Rao by saying that he had told Venugopal and Ahmed Patel that he is a Congressman by heart. Faraz further tells that, Rao wanted to put down his papers and contest for Bengaluru South MP seat. Faraz claims to have stopped Rao from doing so.
Faraz then emphasizes that, after hearing all this, Ahmad Patel had done thumbs up and said that he will be made commissioner of police.
At this stage, Rao seems to be elated and points that there is no one from Congress in the police department in the important posts. Rao, also claims that he had the support of JD (S) leader Revanna and big man (H D Deve Gowda). Rao asks Faraz to communicate it to Ahmed Patel.