Dayanand in Chief Minister's crosshairs over AK47 issue

25 November,2011 06:28 AM IST |   |  Sheetal Sukhija

Four years after ordering his gunman to fire upon a group of civilians with his official AK47 - resulting in the death of two persons - it seems like civil society will finally see justice triumph


Four years after ordering his gunman to fire upon a group of civilians with his official AK47 - resulting in the death of two persons - it seems like civil society will finally see justice triumph.

MiD DAY exposed the bloody history of the present Joint Commissioner of Police, B Dayanand and 10 days later, Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda appears to have realised the seriousness of the issue.

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Dayanand is accused of authorizing use of his official AK-47 on
civilians in 2006. Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda has assured
that he will look into matter


Speaking exclusively to this reporter, Sadananda said that he would personally look into the case. "I am aware of this and will look at all the particulars of the case and verify it. Rest assured, rightful action will be taken," he said.

Dayanand has been accused of authorizing his gunman to fire on civilians using his official AK-47 in 2006, while he was Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada District. He was never taken to task, butu00a0 instead elevated to the post of the Joint Commissioner.

The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) had filed a complaint at the National Human Rights Commission. However, the various probes conducted by the CID and an internal enquiry by the District Magistrate, absolved the cop.

Dayanand's act was in violation of the Ministry of Home Affairs Circular issued in May 1990 and then reconvened in 2002-03, declaring that under no circumstances should an AK-47 Rifle be used by police forces deployed to control law and order, mob violence, riots, etc.

Remains nonchalant
When questioned about the CM's reaction to the issue, Dayanand sighed and appeared to be quite indifferent. "I cannot comment on this. I have not been intimated by either the government, or by the NHRC. I have said what I had to say earlier," said Dayanand.

The PUCL however was overjoyed over Sadananda's statement. "This is not a new issue for the CM. As the party president, he had earlier resolved to take action on this issue. He failed to follow up at that point, with the then CM of the day.
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Dayanand should face suspension and we are glad that the CM has finally woken up. He should, without losing further time, study all the details and take action," said B V Seetaram, vice chairman, PUCL.

Sadananda and Dayanand earlier face-off
Highly placed sources claim Sadananda Gowda and Dayanand dont share a cordial relationship. As a Member of Parliament in 2004, Sadananda led an agitation of arecanut growers to demand better remuneration, as returns were abysmally low.

Dayanand, in his right as SP of Dakshina Kannada District, demanded that Sadananda stops agitating, but he said he wouldn't until the authorities heard the farmer's pleas.

A heated argument ensued between the duo and they almost came to blows. Dayanand threatened to throw Sadananda in jail and he dared him to try.

As the crowds surged forward, Dayanand withdrew from the fight.

Sadananda complained about the incident to the then CM through a letter and brought to the fore Dayanand's high-handed behaviour with the farmers. However, while Sadananda became the party president, Dayanand simultaneously rose in power.

Sources within the BJP political power circle reveal that soon after Sadananda took over as CM, he was forced to elevate Dayanand to the post of Joint Commissioner on the insistence of his mentor, B S Yeddyurappa. With this case against Dayanand, analysts feel that the CM could be avenging an insult.

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AK47 Dayanand Sadananda Gowda PUCL Bangalore