In 2017, Praveen Sood faced controversy when he was removed from his position as Bengaluru city police commissioner.
The transfer of Praveen Sood from his position as Bengaluru city police commissioner in 2017 raised eyebrows and was met with widespread criticism. It was alleged that the transfer was a result of numerous complaints against Sood that were received by the then chief minister and Congress veteran Siddaramaiah. The controversy surrounding the transfer had caused a stir in political circles and had also sparked debates among the general public.
In March 2022, as the director general of police (DGP), Praveen Sood faced strong criticism from DK Shivakumar, the Congress Karnataka president, who accused the state police of unfairly targeting Congress workers while ignoring the actions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shivakumar went as far as warning that if the Congress party returned to power, it would take severe action against Sood and labelled him as a “BJP agent”.
The KPCC president of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, even launched a scathing attack on the DGP Praveen Sood by calling him “nalayak” or useless. He strongly vowed that if the Congress party were to come to power, they would take strict and serious action against Sood for his alleged failure to fulfill his duties properly.
DK Shivakumar Criticizes DGP Praveen Sood’s Performance
According to reports, Congress Karnataka president DK Shivakumar criticized the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Praveen Sood, calling him “nalayak” or “useless” and claiming that he is not fit for his job. Shivakumar further accused Sood of being a “BJP agent” and claimed that the state police unfairly targeted Congress workers while ignoring the actions of the BJP. He also alleged that Sood had registered around 25 cases against Congress leaders, but not a single case against BJP leaders in the state. Additionally, Shivakumar mentioned that the Congress had written to the Election Commission about Sood’s duty and conduct.
Shivakumar also strongly emphasized that the DGP must be held accountable for his actions and inaction, and the Congress party will not tolerate any negligence in duty. He further reiterated that appropriate legal action must be taken against him for his failure to fulfill his duties as a police officer and for targeting Congress leaders while ignoring the actions of the BJP.
The construction of the arch led to criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress, who accused the BJP of promoting communal tensions and disrespecting the legacy of Tipu Sultan, who is revered by many in Karnataka. Congress leader DK Shivakumar also criticized DGP Praveen Sood for not taking any action against those responsible for the controversial arch. The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in Karnataka, where the BJP and Congress are competing for power in the upcoming state assembly elections.
Shivakumar lambasted the 59-year-old police chief for failing to take action against those responsible for the controversial arch.
The appointment on Sunday came a day after the Congress swept to power in Karnataka, winning 135 of the 224 seats.
Who is Praveen Sood?
1. The 59-year-old IPS officer has been appointed as the new CBI director for a two-year term starting from May 25th, succeeding Subodh Kumar Jaiswal.
2. Sood, a Karnataka cadre IPS officer of the 1986 batch, is the most senior IPS officer in India, next only to Jaiswal.
3. A high-powered committee consisting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury cleared his name in a meeting held on Saturday.
4. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress leader, reportedly dissented on Sood’s selection as the new CBI director, but there has been no official confirmation.
5. Sood boasts an impressive educational background, having attended IIT-Delhi, IIM-Bangalore, and Syracuse University in New York.
