Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 5: Despite maintaining a peaceful law-and-order situation over the past six months, efforts are reportedly underway to transfer Mangaluru police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Dakshina Kannada (DK) superintendent of police (SP) Dr Arun, allegedly due to pressure from betting syndicates, mafia networks and a section of political leaders.

For the past six months, Dakshina Kannada district and the Mangaluru commissionerate limits have witnessed no incidents of riots or communal unrest. Illegal activities such as sand mining, red stone transportation, matka and gambling dens have been effectively curbed. Skill game centres and massage parlours have been shut down, while drug and ganja networks that were operating underground are being systematically exposed. Cockfighting has come to a halt, and betting bookies have reportedly vacated the region.

Police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy (left) and SP Dr Arun

This is the current state of Dakshina Kannada, a district that was once deeply affected by illegal activities. Within just six months, senior officers Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Dr Arun have managed to largely cleanse the district. However, mafia elements and certain business groups whose livelihoods depended on illegal activities are now said to be uneasy and are allegedly making concerted efforts to get the two officers transferred.

Illegal sand mining, quarrying, skill games and gambling dens have long been cited as key reasons for disturbances to peace in Dakshina Kannada. Recognising this, the police launched decisive operations in their own style and clamped down on these activities. The crackdown has reportedly had a direct impact on certain local public representatives as well, leaving them disgruntled.

Since the arrival of Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Dr Arun as top officers in the district, illegal operators have found it difficult to function. As a result, various strategies are allegedly being employed to facilitate their transfer. Earlier, protests were organised against the officers during Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi over loudspeaker-related issues. Now, the officers are reportedly being targeted in the name of religious sentiments, practices and traditions.

While some leaders from the ruling party are said to be pushing for the transfers, district in-charge ministers, senior KPCC leaders and top leaders in Bengaluru are reportedly not in favour of moving the officers at this juncture.

The western range of the state’s home department, which includes the Mangaluru police commissionerate, is considered a sensitive zone. However, law and order in this region is currently under control. In view of this, sources said that the chief minister, the director general of police and other senior leaders and officials have decided not to effect any transfers for now.

Typically, IPS and IAS officers are transferred in bulk during December. Mafia groups were reportedly hopeful that the and the Mangaluru police commissioner Dakshina Kannada SP might be transferred or promoted during the December cycle. However, the absence of their names from the December list has reportedly come as a disappointment to these groups. It is also noted that Sudheer Kumar Reddy is due for promotion in January 2028.