NEW DELHI: A High Court in the Indian state of Karnataka has called the top police official “worse than Saddam Hussain and Moammar Gadaffi” for excesses he committed against tribal communities in the 1990s while on the hunt to nab a guerilla gangster and sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. The court also struck down his appointment as Director General of Police – the top police rank in the state – upholding the fact that Bidari was promoted ignoring his past excesses and atrocities which found mention in a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report. “If what the two women (tribal victims of atrocities) have said in their affidavit is true, he is worse than Saddam Hussain and Muammar Gadaffi,” the Court said referring to the NHRC report. Bidari's appointment was first challenged by a more senior (in age) officer — Director General (Home Guards and Fire Services) A R Infant — before Central Adminsitrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking that Bidari's appointment be quashed. Infant felt he was the best contender for the post being the most senior and having no record of atrocities. The CAT ruled that Bidari's appointment was improper and struck it down. It also ruled that Infant should be appointed ad hoc police chief till the government decides on the new appointment. Bidari challenged the decision in the High Court. But the High Court upheld the CAT decision. The court has directed, the government should relieve Bidari and appoint A R Infant in his place. The NHRC had indicted Bidari of atrocities on tribals during his term with special police operations to capture forest brigand Veerappan in the early 1990s. Veerappan used to operate in the area bordering India's three southern states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Bidari was even honored with a gallantry President's medal on the Republic Day 2011 for killing of a member of Veerappan's gang in 1994. Veerappan was later killed on October 18, 2004 by the Tamil Nadu police. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/S8xzf Tags: Bidari, featured, Gaddafi, India, Police, Saddam Section: Human Rights, Iraq, Latest News, Libya
