SI death in gunbattle rocks Karnataka Assembly

The death of a police official in a gunbattle with a criminal in Gulbarga dominated the proceedings of Karnataka Assembly today, with BJP members trooping into the well of the House, forcing an adjournment.
Soon after the Question Hour, Opposition BJP Leader Jagadish Shettar demanded a CBI probe into the killing of sub-inspector Mallikarjun Bande during a raid along with other police officials on the hideout of alleged contract killer Munna Darbadar who shot at him.
Bande died of bullet wounds at a hospital in Hyderabad, where he was shifted from Gulbarga for advanced treatment.
Shettar alleged "suspicious role" of Inspector General of Police (North-Eastern Range), Mohammad Wazir Ahmed, in the matter and demanded his transfer. He blamed the government for the death of Bande.

"The government has ordered a CID inquiry which is inappropriate. Since serious allegations are levelled against IGP, the case should be handed over to CBI for an impartial inquiry," he said.
Shettar alleged that the IGP was harassing Bande for the last six months, a charge even levelled by the slain sub-inspector's wife Mallamma.
He said the government appeared to be protecting the IGP instead of keeping him under suspension and ordering an inquiry. He also wondered how the officer could direct Bande to arrest Munna alive and questioned IGP's alleged action directing the Gulbarga district police to remove names of people belonging to one particular community from the rowdysheet, while the Superintendent of Police had gone on leave.