Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Saturday expressed serious concern over Karnataka’s low conviction rate, with the state ranking 22nd nationally. He warned that such performance, coupled with a lack of accountability, was eroding public confidence in the police. Calling for urgent corrective measures, he urged senior police leadership to strengthen supervision and boost efficiency.Chairing a conference of senior police officers at the office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police, the CM cited data from the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India-2023 report to highlight the state’s weak conviction rate.Taking serious note of 88 cases in which police personnel themselves were booked for criminal offences, Siddaramaiah termed it an “unforgivable crime,” likening it to “the fence eating the crop.” He said such incidents not only damage the credibility of the govt but also tarnish the image of the police force. He directed senior officers to closely monitor the functioning of sub-inspectors, inspectors and deputy superintendents of police.Referring to crime trends, the CM noted that while conventional crimes such as theft, robbery, burglary and murder had declined, new-age crimes, including cybercrime and drug-related offences were on the rise. He warned that these posed a serious threat to the younger generation and reiterated the govt’s resolve to make Karnataka a drug-free state. “With diligent and effective policing, it is possible to eliminate drugs and safeguard the youth,” he said.Siddaramaiah also questioned the state police’s performance in drug detection, recalling a recent incident in which Maharashtra police busted a drug network operating in Bengaluru. “If neighbouring state police can come here and expose drug peddling, why can’t our police do the same?” he asked, adding that action had been directed against officers found responsible for lapses.Calling for zero tolerance towards drug trafficking, the CM said drug addicts and peddlers must be tracked aggressively to dismantle larger syndicates. He stressed that interrogating suppliers would lead to producers and distributors and instructed that such operations be intensified across all police stations. He suggested that foreign nationals involved in drug trafficking should be deported without hesitation, warning that those released on bail often return to the same criminal activities.
