Bengaluru: While most police officials are known to hanker after or even misuse the allowances and facilities they are entitled to, Madhukar Shetty was an honourable exception.
A senior IPS officer under whom Shetty had worked earlier, recounted that he was a man of impeccable integrity and never misused his office.
"After working hours, he used to travel in autos and taxis. He would send his orderly home after 6 pm everyday and prepare tea and other snacks himself. I remember him taking a KSRTC bus from Mangaluru to Bengaluru and back for personal work, instead of using government vehicle," the IPS officer told Deccan Chronicle under condition of anonymity.
Fitness freak
The 47-year-old IPS officer looked much younger and fitter for his age. "It wouldn't be an exaggeration if I tell he was one of the fittest IPS officers who served the Indian police. He used to exercise daily for two hours in the gym and run eight kilometres. He also used to insist that his colleagues also exercise with him," another IPS officer recalled.
Village named after Shetty
Shetty always had a special concern for the poor and needy and used to go out of his way to help them. A testimony to this fact is a village named after him in Chikkamagalur district. While serving as SP of Chikkamaglur in 2000, the then Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta had cleared the encroachment of a government land, which was later distributed among Dalits. The new occupants named the village 'Gupta Shetty Halli' after the two officers.
Refused reward
After serving as SP in Special Task Force during the last phase of anti-Veerappan operation, Shetty declined to accept the award from the government. When the government announced a cash reward and a BDA site, Shetty refused both and requested the government to give it to the needy, one of his colleagues said.
