Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010254080400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reminder that proved costly

T.S. Ranganna

BANGALORE: Old habits die hard. Apparently unable to shake off the practice of demanding “mamool” from visitors, a police constable on security duty at the Vidhana Soudha near the Devaraj Urs statue approached Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani with the intent, which proved costly for him: he has been suspended.

T.V. Venkata Swamy was on duty on Wednesday when Mr. Nirani arrived in his official car, and waited as there were two other vehicles undergoing security check. This was the moment Mr. Venkata Swamy chose to approach the Minister to remind him of the days when he was elected MLA in 2004 and tip him during his visits to the secretariat.

He said after Mr. Nirani became Minister and shifted to Vikasa Soudha, he had “forgotten the constables”.

Pramod Kumar, Special Officer to Mr. Nirani, complained to R. Kumaraswamy, DCP, Vidhana Soudha Security, about the constable’s conduct. Mr. Kumar said that following an inquiry the constable had been suspended. However, it is learnt that the Special Officer, who made the oral complaint, later sought the matter to be closed as the constable apologised to the Minister.