Made to wait on call for few seconds, Karnataka minister transfers senior female cop

Karnataka Labour Minister P T Parameshwar Naik is in trouble. The minister was caught boasting on camera that he got Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) of Bellary, Anupama Shenoy transferred.

The sheer impunity with which the politician transferred an officer at his whim, although outrageous, is nothing new. But it was the reason that Naik gave to justify his act of harassment, that has invited both political and online backlash and become a source of embarrassment for the party in the state.

Selective outrage,Selective Protest??NO voice fr an Honest officer Ms.Anupama Shenoyhttps://t.co/1kZ4F5EO7o pic.twitter.com/jdV87yQd8r

- Sapna Mishra (@ISapnaMishra) January 28, 2016

Salute to Anupama Shenoy, my senior in college. DySP Transferred Twice in 2 Days for Not Taking Politician's Call https://t.co/LKm8X1AN1Z

- Ashwin Quadros (@AshwinQ) January 22, 2016

Shenoy had apparently, on having received a call from Naik during her office hours, put him on hold to talk to her senior. Shenoy wasn't aware that the minister was on line.

This angered the minister and in a matter of two days, reportedly, Shenoy has been transferred twice. The officer was first shunted out from Koodligi to Athani in Belagavi district and then to Sindgi tulk of Bijapur district.

After the initial reports of her out of turn transfer emerged, the Karanataka government had denied any involvement in it terming it an administrative decision. However, what did Naik in was a video, in which he was heard telling his party workers in a meeting in Hadagali assembly constituency about how he got Shenoy transferred for putting him on hold.

He says:

"For me, the party workers are important and not officials. I spoke to her over the phone for 42 seconds and after that when I tried again, she did not respond. This was the reason why I got her transferred. Why do we need officials who do not listen to the District Minister."

The matter is fast turning political with demands for Naik's resignation coming from Opposition parties. Left wing students groups and Kannada organisations are all set to protest the action taken against Shenoy.

However, despite finding political support Shenoy's ordeals doesn't seem to have ended. NewX reported that after two transfers she has been sent on a 'forced leave' of 15 days. The Superintendent of Police R €ˆChetan claims that Shenoy has gone on sick leave for 15 days starting January 24.

#NetasMockIndia: Karnataka cop punished twice. Anupama Shenoy been sent on a 15-day leave. https://t.co/KIH0Kd1601

- NewsX (@NewsX) January 30, 2016

The officer hasn't spoken on the issue yet, though her Facebook page is flooded with messages from well wishers about her putting up a strong fight against political might.