The Karnataka government has reportedly initiated a departmental inquiry against Mr. Alok Kumar, a 1994-batch IPS officer, in connection with serious allegations of unauthorised phone tapping and illegal procurement of mobile call detail records (CDRs) during his tenure as a senior officer in 2019.
Currently serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in the police training division, Mr. Kumar is said to have received formal notification regarding the inquiry. Sources indicate that the case involves unauthorised surveillance of over 50 individuals, including government officials, religious leaders, and political figures.
Promotion to DGP Likely to Be Affected
The departmental proceedings have cast a shadow over Mr. Kumar’s anticipated promotion to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP), which was expected later this month. With the inquiry now underway, Mr. B Dayananda, the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner and a fellow 1994-batch officer, is being considered as the frontrunner for the DGP position, sources suggest.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy dates back to 2019, when Mr. Kumar was serving as the Chief of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru. That year, he was elevated to ADGP rank and briefly appointed Bengaluru City Police Commissioner by the then Chief Minister Mr. H.D. Kumaraswamy, during the tenure of the coalition government. His stint as commissioner, however, lasted only 48 days.
Reports emerged that Mr. Kumar allegedly orchestrated the tapping of phones, including those linked to senior police officer Mr. Bhaskar Rao, who was being considered for the Bengaluru Commissioner post at the time. A leaked audio clip led to widespread political and public uproar, resulting in a formal complaint and a subsequent CBI investigation.
Following the complaint, the CBI raided Mr. Kumar’s residence as part of its probe. In response, he obtained a stay order from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). While the CBI later filed a B-report (closure report) in the matter, Mr. Bhaskar Rao challenged the report, thereby keeping the case active in judicial proceedings.
The Karnataka government’s move to order a fresh inquiry suggests a renewed focus on accountability and may have significant implications for Mr. Alok Kumar’s future in the police service.
