Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has challenged a June 30 Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) decision that revoked the suspension of IPS officer Vikas Kumar, reinstating him with full pay and benefits. The High Court petition follows the tribunal’s directive, which the state says undermines administrative discipline.
Tense Aftermath of Chinnaswamy Stampede
On June 4, a celebratory crowd outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium overflowed during the RCB IPL victory rally, resulting in a stampede that claimed 11 lives, many of them women and children. In response, the state suspended five senior officers on June 5, including Commissioner B. Dayananda, DCP Shekar H. Teppannavar, and IG Vikas Kumar, citing “dereliction of duty.”
CAT Labels Suspension ‘Mechanical’, Places Blame on RCB
The CAT bench—Justice B.K. Srivastava and Santosh Mehra—found the suspension orders lacked credible evidence. It observed:
“The order was passed mechanically without any convincing material or grounds. Hence, it is liable to be quashed.”
Additionally, the tribunal placed primary responsibility on RCB:
“The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted… on social media… Because of a shortage of time, the police were unable to make the appropriate arrangements.”
It emphasized that police officers “are neither God nor magicians” and they couldn’t whip up security infrastructure within 12 hours.
Also Read: Suspended IPS Dayananda Deposes, Inquiry Report Expected Soon; Public Urged to Submit Evidence
CM Siddaramaiah Signals Legal Pushback
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed the government’s stance clearly:
“There is an opportunity to appeal the Central Administrative Tribunal’s order… and an appropriate decision will be taken in this regard.”
He made the statement during a press briefing at Vartha Soudha, underscoring the state’s intent to uphold accountability procedures.
State Warns About Precedent and Pending Inquiries
The petition to the High Court contends the CAT prematurely dismissed the disciplinary process. It argues suspensions were imposed after thorough internal reviews and warns that this reversal could weaken administrative control and accountability in future emergencies.
Reinstatement May Extend to Other Officers
Senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, representing Vikas Kumar, highlighted that the tribunal’s ruling sets a precedent:
“Since [the CAT] observed the suspension was mechanical, similar benefits may apply to the other officers—Dayananda and Teppannavar—pending their legal recourse.”
Also Read About: CAT Cancels Suspension of IPS Vikas Kumar in Stampede Case, Orders Full Service Benefits
