Comparison of Karnataka top cop with Saddam 'unfortunate': PC

Home minister P Chidambaram today termed as "unfortunate" the comparison made in the Karnataka HC judgement in which DGP Shanker Bidari was described as worse than dictators like Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi. 'Top cop worse than Saddam or Gaddafi'

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Saturday termed as "unfortunate" the comparison made in the Karnataka High judgement in which Director General of Police Shanker Bidari was described as worse than dictators like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi.

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The high court had on Friday struck down appointment of Bidari as state DGP and IG, describing him as "worse than Saddam Hussain or Muammar Gaddafi" for alleged atrocities committed by the Special Task Force led by him during the hunt to nab forest brigand Veerappan.

"How can I comment on something which is stated in a judgement? But I think it is unfortunate that such comparison should be made in a judgement of the High Court," Chidambaram said when asked about high court's description of Bidari.

"But then the matter is sub-judice because I am told an appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court," the Home Minister said.

The high court had dismissed as "without merit and substance", petitions by the government and Bidari, challenging the CAT order, and held his empanelment by UPSC and consequent appointment as "void and illegal".

Infant was today appointed as the new DGP.