Karnataka DGP Row Mirrors Jharkhand Police Scandal: A Look Back at the 2005 Case

• The 2005 Jharkhand police scandal involved IG PS Natarajan caught in a sting operation, mirroring the current Karnataka DGP row.
• Natarajan was investigating sexual abuse allegations against DIG Parvez Hayat by tribal woman Sushma Badaik, who later accused Natarajan of exploitation.
• The sting video was confirmed genuine by CFSL Chandigarh, leading to Natarajan's suspension and a criminal case under the SC/ST Act.
• Despite a 2012 recommendation for dismissal, Natarajan was acquitted by a CBI court in 2017 due to lack of conclusive evidence.
• Sushma Badaik was shot and injured in 2022, with suspicions of a link to the long-pending case, though no direct connection was established.

Why It Matters: The 2005 Jharkhand police scandal highlights systemic issues of accountability and justice within law enforcement.