Five police officials trapped by Lokayukta suspended

Bangalore, Mar 15 (UNI) The five police officials, trapped by the Lokayukta on corruption charges, were today placed under suspension and further action will be initiated against them soon, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said today.

Speaking to newspersons after releasing the Common Minimum Programme of the JD(S)-BJP coalition government here, he said the suspension orders were issued following the Lok Ayukta recovering assets and cash worth Rs 60 crore during a series of raids conducted at the residences and offices of the five officials yesterday.

The officials were Deputy Superintendent of Police, Doddaballpur, N Krishnappa and four Inspectors of the city--Mir Arif Ali attached to the Koramangala police station, Shami-ur-Rehman of Crime Branch's Fraud and Misappropriation wing, N Narayanaswamy of VVIP security and P Shivanna, Circle Inspector attached to Yeshwantpur police station.

Mr Kumaraswamy said action would be initiated against corrupt officials without any fear or favour. The Government would also soon decide on providing enough powers to the Lokayukta to weed out corruption among public servants, he added.

He said a Cabinet Sub-Committee was currently considering the suggestions putforth by the Lokayukta to have more powers to deal with corruption charges.

The raids were conducted yesterday under the directions of Lokayukta N Venkatachala by four teams, each headed by a Superintendent of Police.

(Eds: here pick up suitably from earlier story).

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