Karnataka Tells HC Police Suspensions Were Due to Protocol Failure
In a recent development, the Karnataka government has approached the High Court, challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) order that reversed the suspension of IPS officer Vikas Kumar Vikas. The state government has argued that the decision to suspend five police officers, including Vikas, was not a knee-jerk reaction to the tragic stampede that occurred outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, but rather a result of their failure to implement standard procedures despite having 24 hours’ notice.
The stampede, which resulted in the death of 11 people and injured many more, was a shocking and disturbing incident that has left the nation reeling. The Karnataka government, in the aftermath of the tragedy, had suspended five police officers, including Vikas, citing their lapses in duty. However, the CAT had later overturned the suspension, ruling that the officers’ actions did not warrant such severe action.
In its appeal to the High Court, the Karnataka government has argued that the CAT’s order was misplaced and that the police officers’ suspension was justified due to their failure to follow standard protocols. The state government has claimed that the officers were provided with 24 hours’ notice of the event and were expected to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the public. However, despite this notice, the officers failed to implement the required procedures, which ultimately led to the tragic outcome.
According to sources, the Karnataka government has submitted that the officers’ failure to implement the standard operating procedures (SOPs) was a clear dereliction of duty, which warranted disciplinary action. The state government has also pointed out that the officers were aware of the crowd management issues at the stadium and were expected to take measures to mitigate these risks.
The government’s appeal to the High Court comes at a time when the state is facing intense scrutiny over its handling of the stampede. While the government has been criticized for its handling of the incident, the police officers’ suspension has also been a topic of controversy. Many have questioned whether the suspension was justified, given the severity of the incident and the officers’ apparent lapses in duty.
The Karnataka government’s argument that the officers’ suspension was justified due to their failure to implement standard protocols is likely to be closely scrutinized by the High Court. If the court rules in favor of the government, it could have significant implications for the police officers involved and the reputation of the Karnataka Police Department as a whole.
In conclusion, the Karnataka government’s appeal to the High Court has added a new layer of complexity to the controversy surrounding the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede. While the state government’s decision to suspend the police officers involved has been criticized by many, it remains to be seen whether the court will uphold or overturn the suspension.
As the investigation into the stampede continues, it is clear that the Karnataka government and the police department have a significant amount of work to do to rebuild public trust and confidence. The government’s argument that the officers’ suspension was justified due to their failure to implement standard protocols is just one aspect of this process, and it remains to be seen how the High Court will ultimately rule.
