The Karnataka government has transferred Bengaluru city Police Commissioner Praveen Sood. The IPS officer is now posted as ADGP, Communication in the Logistics and Modernisation department of the police.
T Suneel Kumar, a 1989 cadre officer who was until now the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation, will take over as the Commissioner from Praveen Sood.
Praveen was posted as the city Police Commissioner on New Year’s eve 2017, and took over on January 1, 2017. He has replaced NS Megharikh for the top post.
In the past, Praveen has held the post of Deputy Commissioner and Additional Commissioner, Traffic.
Sources say that the Karnataka government was unhappy with Praveen for the way he handled the pro-Kannada protests earlier this month. Given that the state goes to Assembly polls next year, there were also apprehensions that Praveen Sood may not be the right man for the job, said sources.
Last week, Praveen had warned pro-Kannada activists not to take law into their own hands. "The activists have all the rights to fight for issues over language or any other issue. The police will support them if they do so within the ambit of law and order. But anyone taking the law into their hands will not be tolerated and stern action will be taken," Praveen told reporters, according to TNIE.