Former IPS officers Bhaskar Rao, Jyothiprakash Mirji term suspension of police chief as ‘black day’

BENGALURU: Retired IPS officer and former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao has criticized the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case.

Rao took to X to express his views, calling it a dark day in the history of the Karnataka Police. He wrote, “Mr Siddaramiah has gone into panic mode. The suspension of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner is the darkest day in the History of Karnataka Police”.

“The prize for telling the Truth and he and his Team slogged the whole night to keep Bengaluru Safe. Everyone in Karnataka knows that it is the Uncontrollable Deputy Chief Minister who orchestrated the Death March is the main Culprit. No Chief Minister has become as helpless, cowardly, nervous and Panicky. The Government has blood on its hands and now has lost its mind too. The government is now in disaster”, he further wrote.

Mr Siddaramiah has gone into Panic mode. The suspension of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner is the darkest day in the History of Karnataka Police.
The prize for telling the Truth and he and his Team slogged the whole night to keep Bengaluru Safe.
Everyone in Karnataka knows… pic.twitter.com/iYFsMEihGg

— Bhaskar Rao (@Nimmabhaskar22) June 5, 2025

While speaking to Public TV, Bhaskar Rao said that, “Instead of correcting its mistakes, the government keeps making blunders. The government should first control the deputy chief minister. Suspension of police commissioners means an insult to the system. An honest investigation will be the downfall of the CM and Deputy CM. The Home Minister is completely muted — it’s unclear whether he has himself kept quiet or someone told him to be quiet. Our Home Minister hasn’t taken a clear stand or defended their department’s role”.

“No one is blaming the police department; instead, people are questioning the government’s handling of the situation. The government has failed in this matter. You’ve handled the situation like jesters, waving RCB flags”, Rao added.

Another former Bengaluru Police Commissioner, Jyothiprakash Mirji, also strongly criticised the Karnataka Congress government’s decision to suspend the police officers, calling it harsh and unjustified.

“I would like to say that this is an irresponsible government. The government should work with officials by taking them into confidence. The government should be ashamed. The Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and other secretaries are also responsible — why haven’t they been suspended?” Mirji asked.

The retired IPS officer lashed out at the government, questioning the selective suspension of officials.