Woman police officer removed for placing minister's call on hold

BENGALURU: Congress government uncermoniously shunted out a woman police officer on Wednesday reportedly for placing a phone call from a minister on hold.
Anupama Shenoy, deputy superintendent of police, Kudilgi was sent on official duty (OOD) order by the home department just a few days after the incident.
On January 18, source said Anupama received a call from an unknown number.The caller told her that Ballari district minister P T Parameshwara Naik wanted to speak to her. At the same time, she received a call R Chethan, Superintendent of Police, Ballari.
Since the minister was yet to come on line, Anupama put the call on hold and attended Chethan's call. The conversation lasted for a minute a peeved Naik, who holds the labour portfolio reported the matter to home minister and KPCC chief G Parameshwara and ensured her exit, sources said
After completing the conversation with Chetan, Anupama called Naik, who took her to task for not giving him 'due' respect. 'I am district minister, how dare you ignore my phone call?', an angry Naik asked. Anupama replied, 'Sir, I got a call from SP, so i thought I would attend him and call you back''. The Minister shot back: 'You Know? Who is important to you? Your SP or District Minister? I Will show who I am, what is my power, Naik reportedly told her'.
Though Anupama pleaded and apologised, Naik was in no mood to pardon her, said a senior officer who sought explanation from Anupama at the instance of Naik.
The Home minister's office (HMO) justified the action against Shenoy. How can she ignore the minister? Being a police officer she should know that minister is more important than SP,'' HMO sources said.
Chethan however downplayed the incident saying it was a routine administrative matter. She just got an OOD order not transfer. She is a good officer.'', he maintained.
A senior woman police officer, reacting to it, said the minister has acted in a "crude manner" with an woman officer. "The minister could have warned her and even got issued a notice seeking an explanation. Such acts would demoralise women officers", she added.
Anupama who was posted at Kudilgi bluntly refused to comment on the issue.
She had a decent stint there and was totally non-controversial, officials said.