Rowdy-sheeter 'link' leaves BJP red-faced, top cop orders probe

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Gangsters having a pact with political leaders or rowdy-sheeters getting elected is nothing new in Karnataka politics. In the latest incident, an absconding gangster and history sheeter, 'Silent' Sunil, being spotted along with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the city, is giving sleepless nights to the Bengaluru police.

After the incident was reported, a lot of residents, social activists and leaders of the opposition political parties have been questioning as to how a rowdy-sheeter, who is reported 'absconding' by the city police, suddenly appears with BJP leaders just a week after CCB raids in the city.

With rumours alleging Silent Sunil's alliance with BJP leaders doing the rounds, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile the BJP leaders including MLA Udaya Garudachar and MP PC Mohan, who were seen sharing the stage with the notorious rowdy-sheeter during a blood donation camp on Sunday, were served notices by the party seeking an explanation, sources said.

Sunil, as a minor, was accused in a case and was sent to the remand home. Later he continued to commit crimes and now has a total of 15 cases filed against him. He is called 'silent' either because he wouldn't speak to the police during interrogation or because he carries out his operations slowly, sometimes, involving his aides.

According to the police department, Sunil is a notorious rowdy and a history-sheeter who is involved in murder, extortion, dacoity, theft and kidnapping among other crimes. What BJP leaders say: When asked about the incident, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said he had no idea about it. Higher education, IT and BT minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan went a step further defending Sunil.

He said it is unfair to deny the chance to someone who wants to return to the mainstream on the ground that he had once committed some crimes. It is alleged Silent Sunil has been granted tenders and contracts by BBMP worth Rs 250 crore towards road and sewage works and garbage collection.