I exposed wrongs, I should have been allowed to prove charges: Roopa

Whistle-blowing comes with a price. However, this does not bother the doughty IPS officer D. Roopa from going as she believes that whistleblowing and firm action are rife with risks, and she would continue to do her job uncompromisingly.

Recently, she was transferred as managing director of the Handicrafts Emporium. The development came after she accused another IPS officer Hemant Nimbaklar of irregularities in the tender process for Rs 619 crore Bengaluru Safe City project under the Nirbhaya scheme. Nimbaklar had accused Roopa of interfering with the tender process without jurisdiction.

While she does not mind working as the MD of the Handicrafts Emporium, her contention is that she should have been allowed to complete her tenure as Home Secretary.

"I don't mind working as an MD of the handicraft corporation. Unlike many police officials who find comfort zones within the police department as they are fond of the environment that surrounds it, I have no issues working outside the department. I have worked outside the police department as well in the past. So I don't mind working as the MD of Handicrafts Emporium. As a woman the aesthetics and the decoratives appeal to me.

But my contention is that I didn't want a transfer at this juncture as I have not completed one year tenure. When I exposed something I should have been allowed to stay. This is what I feel over this thing," Roopa tells The Hans India.

Over the transfer she states, "I could have challenged the government order in the court but I did not. I believe that I can do wonders in any job. All the posts are equal."

Roopa believes that public interest must be upheld and the corrupt must be punished.

She had earlier tweeted, "If my shift paves the way for action on the corrupt, I welcome it. My transfer is like putting me on an equal footing with other IPS officer Nimbalkar chargesheeted by CBI & CBI has recommended for Disciplinary action of major penalty against him in last December, one year ago, which is not yet done.

Transfers are a part of the government job. I have been transferred more than double the times than the number of years of my career. Whistleblowing and firm action is rift with risks and I know that. I continue to do my job uncompromisingly,this post or that post,doesn't matter."

She envisions that as an MD of Handicrafts Emporium impetus to the work of lakhs of artisans together will be given and their work will be showcased across the country and abroad, through Karnataka's famous Cauvery Emporium.

However, her first priority is to bring the company back on track as financial operations are not happening smoothly because of the fraud and misappropriation.

Elaborating further, Roopa says, "Cauvery is a famous brand, well known, across the country. Recently, it has run into problems because of fraud and misappropriation happening here. There are two CBI cases and one CID case."

Sharing her ideas on the difference she aims to bring at the new post, "Earlier they used to only make teak wood carvings, sandalwood carvings etc. I am trying to include stone sculptures. There is a thought to include traditional jewellery as well. Moreover, we are trying to tie with e-commerce platforms."

Roopa, in her last post, was serving as the home secretary, the first woman to hold the position in the state. She has been awarded the President's Police Medal twice, in 2016 and 2017.