Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 31: Proving the rumours going around since some days, deputy commissioner of police here, K Annamalai, tendered his resignation to his job on Tuesday. The officer, popularly known as the 'Singham' of Karnataka police considering his brave, adventurous actions against corruption and other illegal activities and daredevilry he showed in taming rowdies who were a threat to the society, confessed that he took the decision to leave the police force, after reflecting on the life he has been leading so far, in the light of the demise of IPS officer, Madhukar Shetty, in the recent past.

During the nine years he served the police force, Annamalai came up as an upright, no-nonsense officer who cared for the welfare of the common people. Often he also exposed his philanthropic side. It now transpires that Madhukar Shetty's death had shaken him. The officer, who handled communally-charged situations and anti-social elements with equal ease and deftness when posted at Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts as superintendent of police, proved to be an asset to the department. His departure is a loss to the police force of Karnataka, many believe.

Madhukar Shetty and Annamalai

The way in which Annamalai's senior, Madhukar Shetty, who also was hailed for his crusade against corruption when serving the Karnataka Lokayukta, made this tough police officer to take a long look at the way he has been leading his life. He admitted in a statement made to the media that the death of Madhukar Shetty has left a deep impact in his mind which made him to redraw his future plans. "All good things in life have to end. I have made a decision to quit police service," he said. Agreeing that being in Khaki uniform definitely gave him a sense of pride, Annamalai said every job comes with certain drawbacks.

It may be recalled that K Madhukar Shetty (47) had been infected with swine flu and breathed his last due to cardiac complications in 2018. Annamalai said he has now realized that he had missed many functions, and was unable to be by the side of people who had stood by him in times of need when they needed him badly. He also confessed that there were times when he felt like speaking up but could not and felt having been stifled.

Annamalai, who is from Karur district in Tamil Nadu, is a mechanical engineer with a post-graduate degree in management.

He said he wants to sit back and enjoy little thing in life, which he missed so far. He also plans to groom his son by using the time available to be a good father. When questioned about his political ambitions, he said he was not sure of it now but agreed that he has been seeking a change of direction.

However, in a tweet, inspector general of police and Annamalai's former colleague, D Roopa, said he is plunging into politics. She noted that Annamalai is leaving a hard-earned job, and added that she was heartened to see such young achievers joining politics, and wished him best of luck.