BJP bats for abused' Belagavi cop, women's wing rallies against Hebbalkar
Belagavi: In fresh embarrassment for the state government, already under fire over the recent suicides of two police officers, Congress women's cell president, Laxmi Hebbalkar has kicked off a row by allegedly threatening and abusing a police officer in Belagavi. Smelling an opportunity, BJP leaders took out a rally here on Monday demanding action against Ms Hebbalkar and urging the government to stop interference by Congress leaders in police matters.
Ms. Hebbalkar is said to have pulled up PSI Uddappa Kattikar of the City Crime Branch for seizing trucks illegally transporting sand in Belagavi last week. The audio recording of the conversation between the two was played by local news channels last week, kicking off a row. City Crime Branch police officials headed by Mr Kattikar had seized several trucks late in the night in Belagavi for violating the ban on transportation of sand after 6 pm imposed by Deputy Commissioner N Jairam.
Acting on behalf of some of the truckers, who approached her for help, Ms Hebbalkar reportedly called Mr Kattikar on the phone and demanded to know why he had seized the trucks when they had valid licenses. She was quoted as saying, “ It’s because of police officials like you that the image of the government is being tarnished in the state.''
The officer, who first tried to explain that he was following the DC’s orders , later demanded to know who she was to question him on what he did as a police officer. Ms Hebbalkar then allegedly asked him for his “location” and “ordered” him to immediately meet her. Mr Kattikar however refused, going by the recording.
Agitating BJP leaders charged Ms Hebbalkar with trying threaten the police officer and contended that such interference would prevent honest officials from performing their duties freely. Recalling the suicides of the two DySPs, they said political interference in police affairs was growing in the state and affecting the officers' morale. Ms Hebbalkar however, contended that she was only trying to help poor truckers, who had approached her for help.
