Bengaluru, July 1 (PTI) The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has nullified the Karnataka government's suspension order against senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash. The suspension followed a fatal stampede that occurred last month in Bengaluru.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commented that there is a possibility to appeal against the CAT’s decision. The tragic incident on June 4 near M Chinnaswamy stadium resulted in 11 deaths, leading to intense criticism over planning and crowd management.
Vikash challenged his June 5 suspension before the tribunal, which also named then Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar. The Bengaluru bench of the tribunal, composed of Justice B K Shrivastava and administrative member Santhosh Mehra, had reserved its ruling on June 24, which was delivered on Tuesday, quashing Vikash’s suspension.
Vikash’s senior counsel, Dhyan Chinappa, stated, “The tribunal has allowed the petition and annulled the suspension, affirming that he is entitled to all benefits as per service rules.” The tribunal noted that its findings might extend to Dayananda and Tekkannavar, potentially opening the door for their reinstatement.
The tribunal's ruling stated, “In the view of this Tribunal, the order has been passed in a mechanical manner and is not based on convincing materials. The Police officers have been suspended without sufficient material or grounds, making the order liable to be quashed.”
The order emphasized, "We allow the present petition, quashing the suspension of Vikash Kumar Vikash, IPS, Inspector General & Additional Commissioner of Police, West, Bengaluru City," directing the government to reinstate him immediately. His suspension period is to be treated as duty with full pay and allowances.
Furthermore, the CAT remarked, “We also feel our duty to draw the attention of the State Government towards the principle that where a citizen aggrieved by an action of a government department obtains a favorable court declaration, others in similar situations should be extended the benefit without the need to come to Court.”
State Home Minister G Parameshwara announced he would review the CAT's order and consult with the CM on potential legal action, as the DPAR falls under the CM’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, BJP Leader of Opposition R Ashoka termed the revocation of Vikash’s suspension a "slap" on the Siddaramaiah government, stating, "This isn’t just about one officer; it shows how the Congress government tried to scapegoat the police department and shift blame onto honest officers to conceal its own mismanagement in the Bengaluru Stampede tragedy.”
Ashoka argued on 'X' that the BJP was correct in stating that government mismanagement, not police action, caused the loss of 11 lives. He accused CM Siddaramaiah and DCM D K Shivakumar of bearing the responsibility for the tragedy.
Following the incident, the CM suspended Commissioner of Police Dayananda, Additional Commissioner Vikash Kumar Vikash, Deputy Commissioner Shekhar H Tekkannavar, Assistant Commissioner C Balakrishna, and Circle Police Inspector A K Girish.
The government suspended the three IPS officers under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, while action against the ACP and PI followed the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules, 1965.
The suspension noted that the RCB CEO had informed the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner on June 3 about the victory parade on June 4. The police office did not respond in writing, refusing permission due to insufficient preparation time for such an event.
The RCB and Cricket Association tweeted invitations to the Chinnaswamy stadium without tickets or passes, the order detailed. Despite awareness of a large crowd potential, steps were not undertaken to organize the event systematically or inform the public for their safety, nor was additional police force deployed.
No discussions took place with higher-ups for guidance, leading to a situation that spiraled out of control, resulting in misery, loss of lives, and embarrassment for the government, the order concluded.
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