Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA) - pic - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, May 8: In an unexpected development, the newly-appointed IGP of Western Range Raghavendra Auradkar returned to Bangalore without assuming as a result of last minute political manouvres on Friday May 5 evening.

Raghavendra Auradkar was appointed Western Range IGP after his predecessor Suresh Babu retired last week.  Subsequent upon his appointment, Auradkar was to assume power on Friday.   However, even before coming to the headquarters in the city, he had to escort the chief minister to Dharmasthala.

Poice personnel waiting for IGP's arrival

Later he arrived in the city and had a long meeting with superintendent of police B Dayanand and other senior officials in the police guest house.

Meanwhile, all arrangements were in place as he was expected take charge at 5 pm.  All the senior police officials including the SP were waiting for him outside his office to come out and take charge as the new Western Range IGP.  The police band too was ready and men were ready for the officials guard of honour.  The presspersons and photographers too were waiting. 

However, the new IGP did not come out even up to 5.30 in the evening.  It was only around 5.45 pm that a message was sent that IGP would not be assuming power and the ceremony has been postponed.  Immediately, the SP and other senior officials went to the police guest house to know the reason behind the decision at the eleventh hour. 

Though nothing was told officially, it was later known that IGP had not assumed power following a verbal order from the government at the last minute.

This was for the second time that such an incident has taken place.  Earlier S Ravi was appointed SP for the district.  Everything was ready for him to take charge. Even the name-plates in the SP's office had changed.  However, just before S Ravi could come out from the police guest house to take charge, an oral order from the government had stopped him.  He was later transferred and Soumendu Mukherjee was appointed in his place. 

Raghavendra Auradkar too faced a similar situation.  So far it is not known if he has been transfered or has been asked to delay taking charge.  Only when the officials announcement is made, this would be known, said official sources.