Bangalore Police Chief Bidari removed, enter Mirji

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangalore, May 3: State government on Monday removed City Commissioner of Police, Shankar Bidari, from his post and brought in Mirji in his place. Bidari made way for a fellow-Lingayat, Jyothi Prakash B Mirji, who previously was the additional director general of police (ADGP), Railways. And Bidari took over the post vacated by Mirji. The swap was effected by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, himself a Lingayat, in less than an hour, sources said.

The transfer order seemed unexpected even to Bidari who did not even put on his uniform to hand over the baton to his successor and senior IPS officer B Jyoti Prakash Mirji. Though it is not a rule, but it is customary for an officer to hand over the baton in uniform.

According to the sources, the CM and the RSS top-brass, which supported him during the power struggle within the BJP, wanted to bring about changes in the city police. “Yeddyurappa has spoken to Mirji and made it clear to him that he will have to undo lots of things. The first and foremost job will be to put a stop to illegal massage parlours, dance bars and prostitution dens, which have mushroomed in the city during Bidari’s reign.”

Bidari became the City Commissioner of Police on July 11, 2008 after the BJP government came to power. Though the police officer was in the good books of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, he, reportedly, did not share good relations with his immediate boss, Home Minister R Ashoka. It is also said though the CM had good rapport with Bidari, the latter was not listening to the CM’s sons who often interfered with the work of the police department. Things got worse when CM’s son Vijayendra reportedly pestered his father to shift Bidari immediately for not heeding to his words.

Mirji took charge as 26th city police commissioner. His family was present during the occasion. Asked about Bangaloreans’ long-pending demand to extend the nightlife deadline (wine stores, hotels, bars and restaurants), Mirji didn’t want to give an answer in the affirmative, only saying that his decisions would focus on making people happy.

For the new commissioner, the priority is maintenance of peace through strict enforcement of law and order. Meanwhile, the city is not new to Mirji, for he has served as joint commissioner of police (crime) and additional commissioner of police, Bangalore. Soon after the BJP government came to power, he was made chief of state intelligence.

Four other IPS officers were also transferred on Monday. IGP, Central Range, Bangalore has been transferred as IGP, Eastern Range, Davangere while IGP, Home Guards, Bangalore has been posted as IGP, Central Range, Bangalore.

B A Mahesh, Superintendent of Police, Bangalore Rural District, has been transferred and posted as SP, CID, Bangalore.