Pramesh S Jain
The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority member Mohan Kumar Danappa has urged the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) to issue strict directions prohibiting police personnel from operating fake or anonymous social media accounts to post derogatory comments against government decisions,departmental orders and senior officers.
In a letter dated October 15,Danappa said some police officers and personnel were allegedly concealing their identities by using fictitious names,including those of freedom fighters,to post objectionable and negative comments on various social media platforms.
He said such accounts were being used to criticise government decisions,departmental orders,circulars and official directives issued by senior police officers.
Some personnel were also allegedly posting abusive and defamatory content,commenting on the social media posts of the Chief Minister,ministers,elected representatives and official government accounts,and disclosing internal departmental issues in public.
Pointing out that the police department is a disciplined force responsible for maintaining law and order, Danappa said its personnel were expected to uphold the department’s dignity, discipline,confidentiality and impartiality not only while on duty but also in public and on digital platforms.
He alleged that some personnel resorted to anonymous accounts to avoid departmental action that could follow if they expressed such views through their official identities.
He termed these activities unauthorised and contrary to service conduct rules,calling for the issue to be treated seriously.
Danappa has asked the DGP and IGP to issue strict instructions to all police units and divisions across Karnataka,prohibiting personnel from opening fake or anonymous accounts in violation of departmental rules.
He has also called for the Social Media Monitoring (SMM) Cell to monitor such activities and initiate suo motu cases against personnel found posting objectionable,defamatory or derogatory comments against government orders,administrative decisions, senior officers,competent authorities and commissions, as well as prominent individuals and political posts.
The letter further urges the police leadership to initiate stringent disciplinary action under the applicable service rules and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and other laws against personnel found engaging in such activities.Danappa has requested that the authority be informed of the action taken.
