Karnataka Police Officer Seeks VRS After Alleged Public Insult By CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Police Officer Seeks VRS After Alleged Public Insult by CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru | July 3, 2025

In a development that has sparked debate across Karnataka’s political and administrative corridors, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ravi D. Channabasappa has formally applied for voluntary retirement (VRS), citing public humiliation by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a recent official event in Mysuru.

Channabasappa, currently serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, submitted his VRS application on Monday. According to close sources, the decision stems from an incident on June 30, when CM Siddaramaiah reportedly reprimanded the officer in front of subordinates and media personnel over traffic and security lapses during his visit to Mysuru for a civic inspection tour.

Public Confrontation Raises Eyebrows

“The CM questioned him about delays and poor coordination in front of everyone—officers, local politicians, and even journalists,” said a senior official who was present at the scene. “It wasn’t a heated argument, but the tone was unusually harsh for a man of Channabasappa’s seniority.”

Channabasappa, a 1996-batch IPS officer, has earned a reputation over the years for being disciplined, apolitical, and soft-spoken. In his VRS request, sources claim he cited the incident as having caused "irreparable damage" to his morale and dignity.

“I’ve always maintained professionalism in my service. But the environment no longer allows for self-respect,” he reportedly confided to a retired colleague.

A Record of Credibility

Over his nearly three-decade-long career, Channabasappa has served in several critical law enforcement roles. These include stints as Commissioner of Police in Hubballi-Dharwad and senior roles within Bengaluru city police. Fellow officers describe him as a quiet achiever, known more for his work than for chasing headlines.

His abrupt decision to opt for early retirement has shocked many within the force. “Ravi is not the kind to act impulsively. If he took this decision, it means the incident cut deeply,” said a former Director General of Police who worked with him during the early 2000s.

Siddaramaiah’s Office Maintains Silence

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has so far declined to comment officially on the matter. However, an aide familiar with the internal discussions downplayed the issue, saying, “It was administrative feedback, not a personal insult. The officer may have taken it too personally.”

But sources say this isn’t the first time the Chief Minister’s assertive style has rubbed senior officials the wrong way. “There is a pattern to this,” said a senior bureaucrat. “It’s one thing to demand accountability; it’s another to do so in a way that undermines institutional dignity.”

Political Fallout Begins

As the matter gained traction, political parties swiftly jumped into the fray. Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra criticized the Congress-led government, accusing it of failing to maintain a healthy working relationship with civil servants.

“Officers are being insulted and demoralized. This is not how governance should function,” he told reporters in Bengaluru. The Janata Dal (Secular) echoed similar sentiments, with party leader H.D. Kumaraswamy urging the CM to apologize and restore decorum in governance.

IPS Association Voices Concern

The Karnataka IPS Officers’ Association has called for an emergency internal meeting to discuss the issue. Though no official statement has been released, several members have expressed solidarity with Channabasappa.

“We don’t mind criticism—it’s part of the job. But the forum, the manner, and the public nature of it all—that’s where the line was crossed,” one senior IPS officer told ReportBuzz on condition of anonymity.

VRS Rules and What Comes Next

According to government service rules, an officer applying for voluntary retirement must serve a notice period of three months unless the state waives it. Sources in the Home Department confirmed they had received the application and that a review process is underway.

Legal experts believe the government will find it difficult to reject the application without solid grounds. “Unless there's an ongoing inquiry or misconduct, the officer’s request must be handled fairly. Arbitrary delays could be challenged in administrative tribunals,” said Bengaluru-based lawyer Rajesh Iyer.

Larger Implications for Bureaucracy

This episode has brought to light growing concerns among Karnataka’s civil service officers regarding the conduct of political leadership. Several retired and serving officers noted that administrative dignity has been under increasing strain.

Dr. Asha Manjunath, a retired professor of public administration, said, “This is not just about one officer or one Chief Minister. It’s about the institutional balance between elected officials and career bureaucrats. If that balance tips too far, public administration suffers.”

Final Word

As of now, Ravi D. Channabasappa is on leave and unavailable for comment. His colleagues suggest he is unlikely to return to service unless the state government acknowledges the incident and offers a formal response.

Whether the government chooses to mend fences or allows the matter to quietly fade will determine not just Channabasappa’s future, but possibly that of morale within the Karnataka Police.