Officer abused by MLA’s son, alleges complaint to State Women’s Commission

Shivamogga: “It is a serious matter that Bhadravati MLA B.K. Sangameshwara’s son B. S. Basavesh has unreasonably abused Shimoga District Scientist Jyoti of the Mines and Geology Department,” a complaint to the state women’s commission by the Karnataka Rashtra Samiti Party (KRSP) has alleged.

The unsavoury conduct is believed to have been witnessed when the officer and her team tried to stop illegal sand mining in Bhadravati taluk of the district at night.

B.S. Basavesh, the son of Bhadravati MLA Sangameshwara, is alleged to have abused the woman officer over the phone when she was taking action against the illegal activity.

“It is inexcusable that a government officer, especially a woman officer, should suffer such abuse when she is only doing her duty as sanctioned by the law,” the complaint read.

The complaint further said that the reaction given by the MLA on the matter further proved he was unfit to serve as a people’s representative.

“Should people sit quiet when elected representatives endorse illegal actions,” the complainant asked. Further, to allege that the raiding team demanded money to stop the probe is an insult to officials doing their duties,” the letter read.   

“It is very clear that the MLA is misusing his powers and is involved in illegal sand mining. These politicians are only promoting self-interest and are engaging in politics of power and money. Officials are being intimidated and kept under a tight leash. In situations where police officials are forced to keep their phones switched off at night and officials of the administration are forced to look the other way when wrong things take place, what is the common man supposed to do,” the compliant letter said.  

During the incident, it is learnt that the women officers who were part of the probe team tried to contact the police and senior officers of their department for protection, but the latter were incommunicado.

Later, an attempt was reportedly made to register a false case of “caste abuse” against the women officer in question. The police are alleged to have called this woman officer and told her that a “case was being registered” and to come to the police station for inquiries.

“If the police and senior officers of the department who were supposed to provide protection are irresponsible and are avoiding their duties, how can government employees work honestly? The government should investigate this matter,” the letter said.  

The letter also said that it was necessary for women officers to work with courage. “In this case, it is our duty to provide stability to women officers. We have filed a complaint with the Karnataka State Women’s Commission demanding action,” it further added.