Pressing for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of police sub-inspector Mallikarjun Bande and the transfer of Inspector-General of Police (Western Range) Mohammed Wazir Ahmed, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday staged a dharna in the Lower House, when the government rejected their demand.
The issue sparked off a heated debate between members of the Opposition and the Congress. Irked by the government’s stubborn stand, the BJP members stormed into the well of the House, compelling Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa to adjourn the proceedings.
In his reply, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that, in principal, the government was not against ordering a CBI probe. As the probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was fast progressing, it was better to wait till it submits its report.
Recalling how the BJP government turned down demands by the Opposition for CBI probe on various occasions during its tenure, Mr. Siddaramaiah wondered at the renewed faith of the Opposition in the country’s premier investigating agency. “The BJP, which always spoke ill of the CBI, has no right to seek a probe by it,” he said. Describing the death of the police officer as unfortunate, Home Minister K.J. George maintained that the government had done everything to save the Bande’s life.
Pointing at various conspiracy theories that surrounded his death, after a shootout between the police and contract killer Munna Darbadar in Gulbarga on January 8, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar moved an adjournment motion. But, Mr. Thimmappa allowed the discussion under Rule 69.
Matter of suspicion
Targeting Mr. Wazir Ahmed, Mr. Shettar said the conduct of the IGP had raised suspicion. BJP members Basavaraj Bommai and Govind Karjol also expressed their suspicions over the shootout
