Pramesh S Jain
The KSPCA has also urged the state police head to facilitate free travel for plainclothes police personnel in ordinary and ordinary Vayudoot (limited-stop) BMTC buses while on official duty in Bengaluru.
Mohan Kumar Danappa,Member of the Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority,in his letter dated July 3, requested the police headquarters to take up the matter with the authorities concerned to extend the existing free bus travel facility available to uniformed police personnel to officers and staff working in plain clothes.
The representation states that personnel from the Intelligence Wing,Crime Branch,CCB, Anti-Narcotics Wing,VIP security units and other specialised divisions frequently travel across the city in plain clothes to conduct surveillance,gather intelligence,track suspects and monitor criminal and anti-social activities.
According to the Authority,since these personnel are not in uniform,BMTC conductors often insist on tickets during duty travel,leading to arguments and increasing the risk of exposing their identity,which could compromise ongoing operations and hinder investigations.
The letter notes that uniformed police personnel already enjoy free travel in Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses.
It also refers to earlier government directions issued in 2009 and subsequent representations made in 2017 seeking to extend the same benefit to plainclothes personnel.
Despite the police department reportedly paying an annual amount to BMTC,with a 10% yearly increase,the facility has not been extended to officers working in civilian attire.
The Authority has urged the DG&IGP to examine the proposal and take appropriate steps to enable plainclothes police personnel travelling on official duty to avail free travel in ordinary and ordinary Vayudoot BMTC buses upon producing their official police identity cards, ensuring that their covert operations are not compromised.
