Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Nov 15: Madikeri's top officials like deputy commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP) have been held responsible for the violence which took place on November 10 on the occasion of Tipu Jayanti, which resulted in the deaths of three persons including a VHP leader.

In a report submitted to director general and inspector general of police (DG & IGP) Om Prakash, Karnataka southern range IGP B K Singh has stated that superintendent of police Vartika Katiyar had gone on leave three days before the Tipu Jayanti celebrations to play badminton, though she was aware that the event was a sensitive one. However, after the clashes erupted, she along with other higher officials camped at the spot.

Also, deputy commissioner Meer Anees Ahmed too went on leave just a day before the event. The chief executive officer of zilla panchayat (ZP) M Kurma Rao was in charge of district affairs in the absence of the DC, the report states.

The absence of top officials when their presence was very much required has been cited as the reason for the situation going out of control. The substitutes assigned with the duties of these two officials failed to take proper measures in time, says the report.

SP Vartika Katiyar wanted the leave to play badminton and applied for the same with effect from November 6. The IGP refused to grant the leave, but she managed to get it approved from ADGP and went on leave as scheduled. Meer Anees Ahmed availed his leave a day before the event.

Sources said that DG & IGP Om Prakash will bring the contents of the report to the notice of chief minister and home minster. There is a chance that these two top officials would be issued notices and legal action could also be taken against them.