HC pulls up top cop over mob attacks on BBMP workers

Following media reports that BBMP workers pulling down unauthorised banners and flexes were attacked, the High Court of Karnataka summoned City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar.

The court asked the commissioner to ensure the security of BBMP officials and workers involved in the drive to rid the city of the banners.

Kumar was summoned after reports emerged in the media that a mob attacked BBMP officials and workers removing flexes and banners near Muthumariamman Temple in Ramamurthy Nagar on Thursday. An FIR was registered in the Ramamurthy Nagar police station.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari took cognizance after it was observed that public officials on duty to clean up the city were attacked.

Insisting that a charge sheet should be filed against the miscreants who attacked the BBMP workers, the court said the commissioner will be held responsible for any attack on them. It said the commissioner will also be held responsible for any flexes or banners found in the city.

The Advocate General told the court that steps are being taken to probe the case and four arrests have also been made.

The court stated that it alone would deal with any bail application filed in the case, insisting that serious action would be taken against anyone obstructing the work to remove flexes and banners. It asked the police and BBMP officials to work together round-the-clock to clear the banners.

When the BBMP council told the court that contractors are reluctant to remove banners after Thursday's assault, the court retorted that it would summon contractors refusing to clear the banners.

The court asked the police commissioner to maintain vigil against the illegal display of banners, flexes and posters. Adjourning the case to August 8, the court asked the commissioner to submit an affidavit on the measures proposed against the banners.

Answering the court's question on why all the flexes and banners were not removed, the BBMP council said the civic body is busy preparing for Kempegowda Jayanti. "What would you celebrate when the city is destroyed like this?" the court said. "First, work towards restoring its earlier glory and then celebrate."

It also said BBMP officials should step out and work on the field rather than work on their laptops in their cars.