Under the new framework, every police circle — a group of police stations headed by a Circle Inspector in rural areas — and every police station in urban areas will have an anti-rowdy squad functioning under the supervision of the Circle Inspector, while stations headed by Police Inspectors will maintain separate station-level squad.
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Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem has directed all police circles across the State to constitute a dedicated anti-rowdy squad.
This comes in the backdrop of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, in his first meeting with senior officers, mooting the idea of such squads at the taluk level. Mr. Shivakumar stressed the need to eradicate rowdyism and strengthen law and order in the State at the meeting held on Thursday.
Under the new framework, every police circle — a group of police stations headed by a Circle Inspector in rural areas — and every police station in urban areas will have an anti-rowdy squad functioning under the supervision of the Circle Inspector, while stations headed by Police Inspectors will maintain separate station-level squads. The composition of the teams will be determined by the respective ACPs and Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) based on local crime conditions.
The squads have been tasked with verifying criminal cases against individuals and opening new rowdy sheets wherever necessary. They will also maintain updated records of rowdy sheeters, conduct regular surveillance, identify emerging criminal gangs, gather actionable intelligence and monitor habitual offenders involved in activities affecting public peace.
The circular further directs officers to initiate preventive measures such as proceedings under the Goonda Act, the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA), 2000, externment procedures and other legal provisions. Effective execution of warrants, bonds and other lawful proceedings against rowdy elements has also been made a priority.
To ensure accountability, Circle Inspectors and Station House Officers have been instructed to review the functioning of anti-rowdy squads every fortnight, while ACPs and SDPOs will assess their performance during monthly crime meetings. Unit heads have been directed to periodically review and update rowdy sheets in accordance with existing rules.
The police headquarters has also ordered maintenance of separate registers documenting the activities and achievements of the squads. Monthly reports detailing surveillance operations, preventive actions, warrant execution and enforcement measures must be submitted through proper channels.
Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy towards rowdyism, the circular states that incidents involving intimidation, extortion, forcible collection of money, gang activity, public disorder and other unlawful conduct must be dealt with promptly and firmly in accordance with the law.
All Commissioners of Police, Range IGs, DIGs and Superintendents of Police have been directed to constitute the squads and submit compliance reports to Police Headquarters within seven days.
Published – June 06, 2026 09:14 pm IST
