Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Director General of Police MA Saleem during the inauguration of the annual conference of senior police officers in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday called the Karnataka police personnel involved in 88 criminal cases in the last one year “disgraceful”.
During the December legislative session, Home Minister G. Parameshwara provided figures which showed that criminal proceedings had been registered against 88 policemen and constables for their alleged involvement in criminal activities.
Addressing the annual police conference on Saturday, the chief minister said such cases – where protectors become predators – are “unforgivable” and bring a bad name to both the police and the government.
Cybercrime, narcotics
Talking about crime in Karnataka, he said that it has come down significantly in the last few years, but cyber crime and cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) continue to be a serious problem.
Police from other states handling major drug cases in Karnataka were “embarrassing” for the state police, he said. He urged the Karnataka police to step up crackdown on drug networks operating in the state.
Warning that irregularities in prisons and any failure to control drug networks would not be tolerated, the chief minister said the government was ready to introduce a new law in the upcoming legislative session to ensure tougher action against those involved in drug crimes.
“If there is any requirement to amend or strengthen the law to tackle the drug menace more effectively, the government will not hesitate to do so,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
He urged the police not to give space to powerful and anti-social elements and urged the police to protect the weak, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and religious minorities as a collective responsibility.
Low conviction
Mr. Siddaramaiah also pointed out that Karnataka continues to record a low conviction rate in criminal cases. In cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the conviction rate has improved from around 3% last year to 12% this year, but more improvement is needed, he said.
He said many crimes could have been prevented with better vigilance and preparedness, including the stadium stampede incident. Incidents like ATM robberies and banner-related violence in Ballari could also be avoided with proper preventive measures, he added.
Expressing concern over the rising incidence of cyber crime, the Chief Minister said that effective use of modern technology is essential to tackle the problem.
Development link
Mr. Siddaramaiah said that law, order and development are closely related. “Only when law and order is strong will investment increase and development will take place,” he said.
Published – 17 Jan 2026 19:49 IST