Allegations that H.D. Kumaraswamy ordered the tapping of his adversaries’ phones have created a political storm in Karnataka
Is former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy guilty of doing a Richard Nixon to save his government? The BJP sure believes so. On August 19, the state government, led by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, asked the CBI to investigate allegations that there was illegal tapping of phones of political leaders, their relatives and government officials during the Congress-JD(S) coalition rule under Kumaraswamy. The scandal struck on August 8, after an audio recording of a conversation—allegedly between senior IPS officer Bhaskar Rao (now Bengaluru police commissioner) and powerbroker Faraz Ahmed, said to be close to the Congress—was leaked to the media. In the recording, the person purported to be Rao is heard lobbying for the post of city police commissioner, and seeking the “blessings” of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her former political secretary Ahmed Patel. The conversation happened sometime before Alok Kumar’s appointment as city police commissioner in June.
On August 2, the BJP government had replaced Alok Kumar with Rao, then ADGP, Karnataka State Reserve Police; Kumar had been the city’s top cop for only 47 days.
An inquiry into the leak exposed the silent tussle for plum postings in the police department, with senior officers allegedly tapping phones and leaking private conversations. On August 12, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Patil submitted an interim report to Director General and Inspector General of Police Neelamani N. Raju, saying that an officer of ADGP rank had a role in the case.
This story is from the September 01, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 01, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state
