Dr Ravikanthe Gowda assumes charge as DK SP, vows to curb criminal, communal elements

Mangaluru, Jan 29: A week after he was posted as the Superintend of Police of Dakshina Kannada , 50-year-old ‘encounter specialist’ Dr Ravikanthe Gowda on Monday assumed the charge with a promise to handle the situation in the sensitive district which witnessed several communal clashes and killings in recent years.

Dr Gowda, who was serving as the SP of Belagavi, had handed over charge to outgoing DK SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy last Tuesday. After receiving guard of honour, today Dr Gowda took over the charge from Additional SP V J Sajeeth.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that his utmost priority will be people-friendly policing and maintaining law and order in the district, which is known for its rich cultures and traditions.

He expressed confidence of creating a good and healthy relationship between the common men and the policemen with the help of his subordinates and higher authorities. “For some reasons, DK is known as sensitive district, but I have enough experience and guidance of seniors to tackle the situation," he said.

Dr Gowda also warned those who have a penchant for posting provocative and abusive messages on social media. “One can utilize social media for healthy discussions. But, if people misuse social media platforms to spread hatred and disrupt peace they will face legal action,” he said.

The multi-talented cop

A native of Mandya, Dr Gowda is the son of well-known short-story writer Besagarahalli Ramanna. Though he became famous as an ‘encounter specialist’ after eliminating three rowdies when he was serving as DCP in Bengaluru, Dr Gowda is also a poet and singer who has a keen interest in Hindustani music. He also holds a doctorate in Kannada literature.

The 50-year-old is well known for his tactful handling and fearlessness in the police fraternity. He believes in being ruthless towards communal forces and underworld elements. His success in thwarting simmering communal tensions and the guts he showed in raiding the treacherous hooch dens in Hubli-Dharwad, has earned him the sobriquet `Mandyada Huli’. Gowda also nabbed underworld don Sudhir Prabhu in Mysuru.

He began his career in policing as a KSPS officer of 1997 batch and became an IPS officer in 2005. His first posting was as DySP of Nanjangud in 1999, after which he went on to become DCP of Hubballi-Dharwad, DCP (crime) in Bengaluru, DCP (law and order), Mysuru, DCP of north east Bengaluru, DCP of central Bengaluru city, and SP of Belagavi.