‘Act against cops who defied gag order’

Home Minister RR Patil has said an explanation will be sought from senior police officers Satyapal Singh and Krishnaprakash for speaking out of turn to the media despite clear directions not to do so.

Home Minister R.R. Patil has said an explanation will be sought from senior police officers Satyapal Singh and Krishnaprakash for speaking out of turn to the media despite clear directions not to do so.

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According to Patil, directions were given on November 3, 2009 and again on March 10, 2010, asking officers not to speak to the press in cases in which investigations were incomplete.

Patil said this in response to Congress MLC Subhash Chavan’s question if the home department had issued any gag order on the police “and if any such order was passed, any action has been taken against police officers who spoke in Pune and Sangli.”

Chavan was referring to two incidents — the first, in which Pune police commissioner Satyapal Singh through his department had allegedly leaked details of criminal cases against Minister of State Ramesh Bagwe, and the second, in which Sangli police commissioner Krishnaprakash had alleged that a local NCP leader was responsible for the Sangli riots.

They were not questioned, he said. Patil said, “We have not found any adverse statements made by Singh. But now we will consider the complaint and ask for an explanation from both.”

He added the home department was considering appointing a spokesperson who would speak to the media on behalf of police.