Karnataka DGP in Sasikala Row Takes Charge, Retires in 35 Minutes

HN Sathyanarayana Rao took charge as DG Police and Commandant General of home guards at 7.15pm & retired at 7.50pm.

HN Sathyanarayana Rao has been accused of taking a bribe of Rs 2 crore in exchange for special treatment to AIADMK leader V Sasikala.

Photo: ANI

A Karnataka IPS officer has set a record of sorts by serving a post for 35 minutes.

HN Sathyanarayana Rao took charge as Director General of Police and Commandant General of home guards at 7.15pm on 31 July. At 7.50pm, he retired from the police service.

Home guards’ officials told The Quint that unlike the usual taking-over ceremonies, no senior officers were present at the headquarters.

Rao walked out of the office after signing the required documents, spending just 35 minutes in his new office.

Rao who was posted as Director General Police of Prisons Department, was transferred out on 17 July, without another posting. His subordinate, D Roopa Moudgal, accused him of taking a bribe of Rs 2 crore in exchange for special treatment to AIADMK leader V Sasikala.

Also Read: Did Sasikala Pay Rs 2 Crore Bribe? DGP Denies Claim, DIG Defiant

On 27 July, he filed a defamation lawsuit against Roopa. The lawsuit, which had over three pages on his achievements, said he had undergone “untold mental agony” since Roopa made the allegations.

Senior police officers said that his 35-minute stint as chief of home guards was to ensure that Rao didn’t retire from service without a post, based on his repeated requests.

Also Read: Sasikala VIP Treatment: Ex-IAS Officer to Probe Into Allegation

DGP Internal Security Neelmani Raju, who held concurrent charge of the home guards, was relieved of the responsibility for 38 minutes. After Rao retired, she was given the additional charge once again.

Also Read: K’Taka DGP Rao Slaps Rs 50 Crore Defamation Suit Against DIG Roopa

A retired IAS officer has been appointed to probe into the bribery allegations against Rao and the report is awaited.

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