Updated
Bengaluru, Jan 20 (IANS): The case of two cops deputed for CM's security at his residence in Bengaluru turning into drug peddlers has taken another twist as the role of senior police officers has come to light in helping the accused get bail from the court.
The case which has caused severe embarrassment to the police department is now being handed over to the Central Crime Branch (CCB), the special wing for more detailed probe, police said on Thursday. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant has handed over the case to the CCB. Meanwhile, more shocking details have emerged from the investigation.
It has been revealed that the cops who turned into drug peddlers were booked under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) only for consumption of drugs. Shockingly, sources reveal that they were involved in selling ganja near a police station in the city where they were earlier discharging duties. Though a report was filed against them, their files were cleared for deputation at the residence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
The accused police constables Shivakumar and Santhosh were caught red handed while selling drugs near the residence of Chief Minister Bommai on Jan 13. The police department has suspended Ashwath Gowda, the police inspector and sub-inspector Veerabhadraswamy for improper investigations into the case and helping the accused obtain bail. The accused managed to obtain bail within three days of arrest.
The investigating police officers did not file objections to the bail petition by the accused cops. The notices were also issued to DCP South East Division Srinath Mahadev Joshi and DCP VVIP Security Wing Manjunath Babu for failing to identify the activities of subordinates and deputing them to monitor security near the residence of the Chief Minister.
Sources explained that these two cops were faced with allegations of selling ganja near the Koramangala police station in Bengaluru. The police inspector who came to know about the development, had filed the report against them. The higher authorities especially, DCP South East Srinath Mahadev Joshi, turned a blind eye to the report while clearing files at the time of deputing the accused constables to the CM residence duty.
Earlier report
Policemen drug peddling case: Two cops suspended for 'lapses'
Bengaluru, Jan 20 (IANS): Taking a serious note in the lapse into the investigation into the case of arrest of two policemen on charges of drug peddling in Bengaluru, the Karnataka police department has suspended a police inspector, and a sub-inspector, while issuing notices to two Deputy Commissioners in the city.
Two police constables Shivakumar and Santhosh attached to Koramangala police station were arrested for possession of ganja near the residence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Both the accused were deputed as security officers at the R.T. Nagar residence of CM Bommai in Bengaluru.
R.T. Nagar police inspector Ashwath Gowda and sub-inspector Veerabhadraiah have been suspended by the police department for not conducting proper inquiry.
Sources said the police personnel who turned into drug peddlers managed to obtain bail due to slack investigation just two days after their arrest, sources explain.
South-east DCP Srinath Mahadev Joshi has been served with a notice for clearing the deputation of accused cops without proper background check to the Chief Minister's residence.
VVIP DCP Manjunath Babu has also been issued a notice on failing to keep the proper vigilance on Chief Minister's security and also failing to monitor the staff deputed on the security duty of the Chief Minister, police sources confirmed.
The police had taken the accused cops into custody on January 13.
The police had arrested five persons in connection with the case. The accused obtained drugs from drug peddlers and sold it in Bengaluru.
The accused cops have received drugs through a delivery service near the residence of CM Bommai to avoid any suspicions.
At the time of receiving drugs, they had an argument with the drug peddlers over the issue of payments.