What Does M. A. Saleem’s Appointment Mean for Karnataka's Police Force?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- M. A. Saleem appointed as acting DG and IGP of Karnataka.
- Saleem has extensive experience in law enforcement.
- His leadership aims to enhance public safety and crime investigation.
- Notable contributions include the establishment of support systems for vulnerable groups.
- He has received multiple prestigious awards for his service.
Bengaluru, May 21 (NationPress) The Karnataka government has appointed senior IPS officer M. A. Saleem as the acting Director General (DG) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Wednesday.
Saleem is currently fulfilling the role of Director General of Police (DGP) for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with overseeing Special Units and Economic Offences in Bengaluru.
A governmental announcement indicated that Saleem will take on the responsibilities of head of the police forces in Karnataka from the afternoon of May 21, remaining in this position until further notice.
Following the retirement of Alok Mohan, the previous Director General and Inspector General of Police, on May 21, Saleem is anticipated to be officially confirmed as the state’s full-time police chief within two months.
A graduate of the 1993 IPS batch, Saleem has held various significant positions throughout the state, including Superintendent of Police in Udupi and Hassan, as well as Inspector General of Police of the Eastern Range.
His tenure includes leading the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and serving as the DGP of the CID, where he oversaw several high-profile cases.
Noteworthy initiatives under his leadership comprise the establishment of helplines and support systems for vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and the elderly, the launch of the Garuda Police Patrol, and the creation of a Special Action Force across various districts, alongside advancements in traffic enforcement technology.
Saleem has demonstrated a strong commitment to criminal investigations, supervising crucial Special Investigation Teams (SITs) tasked with resolving high-profile criminal cases.
He led the SIT investigating the IMA fraud, which impacted 74,000 victims, as well as teams focused on multi-crore cryptocurrency hacking incidents, sexual harassment cases in Hassan, misappropriation of funds at Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited, a police sub-inspector recruitment scam, and allegations of sexual harassment and extortion against an MLA.
Saleem has received several accolades, including the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Services in 2017, the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2009, and the National Award for e-Governance for exemplary ICT use by the Government of India. He was also honored with a commendation disk by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in 2021. In addition, he was awarded the prestigious IRTE Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for his significant contributions to road safety.