Pramesh S Jain
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh on Tuesday said the police department is examining legal options to revoke recent orders directing the closure of rowdy sheets against several alleged offenders, including notorious rowdy-sheeter Sunil Kumar.
Speaking to reporters,Singh said around seven rowdy-sheeters in Bengaluru and nearly 66 across Karnataka are affected by orders directing the removal of their names from rowdy registers.
The city police are scrutinising relevant records and legal provisions to determine whether the orders can be challenged or reversed.
“We are verifying the documents and examining the legal aspects to revoke the orders.
The matter is also being discussed with the State police chief for necessary directions,”the Commissioner said.
When asked about measures being adopted to curb rowdy activities,Singh said the police have effective mechanisms in place but declined to disclose details, describing them as confidential operational matters.
The development comes after the Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) directed the closure of the rowdy sheet maintained against Silent Sunil, citing procedural lapses by the police and non-compliance with guidelines laid down by the Karnataka High Court.
The order was passed by a three-member bench headed by N.K.Sudhindra Rao,along with member Mohan Kumar Danappa and Member Secretary Devajyoti Ray.
Silent Sunil,a resident of Hebbal, had approached the authority seeking removal of his name from the rowdy register,arguing that he had been acquitted in several criminal cases and had no pending criminal cases against him.
During the proceedings,police cited multiple cases registered against him since 1996,including offences relating to murder, attempted murder,extortion,rioting, criminal conspiracy and violations under the Arms Act.
However,the authority observed that most of the cases had ended in acquittal,while some had been quashed or stayed by courts.
The KSPCA held that the police failed to demonstrate compliance with mandatory safeguards governing the opening and continuation of rowdy sheets,including issuance of notice,collection of credible material, approval by competent authorities,periodic review and adherence to principles of natural justice.
Consequently,the authority ordered closure of the rowdy sheet opened against Silent Sunil on November 26, 2014, while leaving open the possibility of fresh proceedings if initiated strictly in accordance with law.
Sources said Silent Sunil is among at least 14 individuals who have secured similar relief in recent KSPCA proceedings after the authority found procedural deficiencies in the maintenance of rowdy and history-sheeter registers.
Officials said around 50 more petitions seeking similar relief remain pending before the authority.
The controversy has emerged amid the State government’s renewed focus on tackling organised crime. Recently,Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar proposed the formation of anti-rowdy squads in every taluk.
Subsequently,Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A.Saleem issued a circular directing the establishment of anti-rowdy squads in every police circle across the State,a move expected to increase police surveillance of habitual offenders and the number of rowdy sheets maintained by law enforcement agencies.
