Date:15/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/15/stories/2006031526290300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Police officer surrenders

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: A police officer, who is alleged to have assets disproportionate to his known source of income, who ran away from the custody of the Lokayukta police on Tuesday, later surrendered before them. Shivanna, Circle Inspector of Yeshwantapur police station, jumped out of a police jeep by pushing aside two escorts on Kumara Krupa Road.

According to the Lokayukta police, Shivanna boarded the jeep along with two police escorts to go to the 23rd City and Sessions Court.

Another vehicle with Lokayukta officers was following the jeep. It is said that the jeep deviated from the assigned route near Kumara Krupa Road and took a right turn. "Shivanna pushed us aside, jumped out of the jeep, and scaled a wall before running away," one of the escorts accompanying the police officer told presspersons.

Lokayukta N. Venkatachala told presspersons that the Lokayukta sleuths will book a separate case against Shivanna for escaping from custody. This will be apart from the case booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Asked whether the escorts would be booked for dereliction of duty, Mr. Venakatachala said: "The escorts provided were without weapons. Moreover, they were of a lower rank than the accused inspector. I will get the matter examined."