BANGALORE: The State Government's seriousness in checking and detecting crime in Bangalore has come under a cloud.

No officer has been posted to the important post in the city police's crime wing which has been headless for nearly two months.

The post of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) fell vacant on June 21 after M.C. Narayana Gowda was transferred as Transport Commissioner.

According to senior police officials, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) occupies an important position in the set-up of the Bangalore city police. He is practically in charge of crime prevention and detection operations and guides the investigation. He also supervises the functioning of the Central Crime Branch and the City Crime Records Bureau.

According to a temporary arrangement in place, Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration and City Armed Reserve) Gopal B. Hosur is holding the additional charge as the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime).

Sources in the city police told The Hindu that given the city's crime scenario, it would be difficult for an officer to discharge dual responsibilities, though he might be capable of it. "Crime work is the most important part of policing in the city and an officer should be exclusively posted for the job," they said.

According to the sources, the posting of the new Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) has been delayed apparently for political reasons. After Mr. Narayana Gowda was transferred, the Government upgraded the post and posted Inspector-General of Police Nahar Simha Megharik as Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime). But the order was cancelled within no time, reportedly for political reasons. Mr. Megharik has not been given a posting so far.

Soon after Mr. Megharik's posting was cancelled, hectic lobbying started for the post as it is considered the most powerful one after that of the Commissioner of Police.

The names of the Inspector-Generals of Police M.V. Murthy and B.G. Jyothi Prakash Mirji and Deputy Inspector-General of Police N. Shiva Kumar and also that of Mr. Hosur, who is also a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, were making the rounds for the post.

Meanwhile, it is now said that the Government is planning to post Mr. Hosur as Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and bring in Mr. Megharik as Additional Commissioner of Police (City Armed Reserve).

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