The controversial Karnataka IPS officer, Vartika Katiyar (IPS:2010:KN), is at the centre of a fresh controversy for allegedly threatening a lower-level official in Ballari even after her transfer from the post of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Ballari range, on January 7. The latest controversy erupted after a video, which has been widely shared on social media, surfaced showing Katiyar threatening Ballari zonal administrator Basavaraj, asking him not to hand over documents to the newly posted DIG.
Virtually, Katiyar was transferred from the Ballari DIG post following the incident of a violent clash killing a Congress worker, Rajashekar Reddy, on January 1 there. The state govt transferred her to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement as DIG from the post of DIG, Ballari.
Katiyar later moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), challenging her transfer. The case is being heard by the CAT. Meanwhile, Katiyar is allegedly exerting pressure on officials not to hand over files that were under her charge to other officers.
In the video, Katiyar allegedly warned Basavaraj on the phone, saying the case of her transfer is being heard by CAT and threatens to implicate him in the case if he hands over the files to anyone (read new DIG). Basavaraj is said to have recorded the conversation.
Following the alleged threatening call, Basavaraj wrote to Katiyar accusing her of obstructing him from discharging his duties. Basavaraj reportedly asked her not to call him or send letters or verbal instructions. This purported letter, too, has been shared widely on social media platforms.
The clash that led to her transfer took place in Ballari on Jan 1 between supporters of Congress MLA Bharath Reddy and BJP legislator G Janardhan Reddy, in which a Congress worker was killed. Following the incident, Katiyar was transferred on Jan 7.
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