Latest news with #KGovindaraju

Time of India

CM's aide Govindaraj removed, intel chief transfered

Bengaluru: More heads rolled in the Bengaluru stampede case as Karnataka govt Friday removed MLC K Govindaraju as political secretary to chief minister Siddaramaiah and transferred ADGP (Intelligence) Hemant Nimbalkar. Official sources claimed Govindaraju's reported push to hold RCB celebrations at Vidhana Soudha may have contributed to his removal. During a press conference Thursday, CM Siddaramaiah had acknowledged lapses in intelligence over the stampede: "No decision has been made yet about what action to be taken in this regard. We will discuss it." The twin measures follow Thursday's suspension of Bengaluru City police commissioner B Dayananda and four other senior police officers. The opposition has accused the govt of shielding political functionaries and punishing only police officers. An official notification issued Friday read: "The appointment of K Govindaraju as political secretary to CM is hereby revoked with immediate effect. Accordingly, he is relieved from the post with immediate effect." On the intelligence front, ADGP S Ravi has replaced Nimbalkar. A govt order said: "Hemant M Nimbalkar, a 1998-batch IPS officer ADGP, Intelligence, is transferred with immediate effect and will continue as ADGP & Commissioner, department of information and public relations, Bengaluru." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Nimbalkar, who took charge as ADGP (Intelligence) last year, is married to former Congress MLA Anjali Nimbalkar. She contested but lost the 2023 assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Defending the govt's move, minister Priyank Kharge said: "The officers responsible have been suspended or transferred and a judicial probe has been ordered to investigate the matter. We have made no scapegoats." Social activist Abraham TJ filed a formal complaint early Friday, demanding action against Nimbalkar, citing negligence and intelligence failure. He questioned the selective suspension of officers while the intelligence chief remained untouched. In his complaint, Abraham wrote that when the govt itself had acknowledged intelligence failure and it made no sense to act only against five police officers. He asked: "Why no action was taken against ADGP Intelligence? Is it because he is the spouse of the Congress leader?" The CM's office confirmed receipt of Abraham's complaint. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !