Madhukar Shetty, IPS officer who cracked down on illegal mining, dies of swine flu

Madhukar Shetty was undergoing treatment for H1N1 at a Hyderabad hospital. He was 47.

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Senior IPS officer from Karnataka, K Madhukar Shetty passed away on Friday night at a private hospital in Hyderabad.

Madhukar Shetty was admitted to the Continental Hospitals in Hyderabad over a week ago and was undergoing treatment for H1N1 induced due to pneumonia. He was 47 years old and died around 8.15 pm.

Son of veteran journalist Vaddarse Raghurama Shetty, Madhukar, was a 1999 batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Known as an upright officer, Madhukar Shetty was well known for his role in the investigation into the illegal iron ore and mining scam in Ballari. Madhukar Shetty had worked with former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde in the probe against BJP leader Gali Janardhana Reddy and his associates.

He also served as the Superintendent of Police for Ckikkamagaluru district. During his tenure there, Shetty became famous for redistributing land claimed from illegal encroachments to the members of the Dalit community.

Remembered as an honest police officer, he was also a part of the task force set up to capture forest brigand Veerappan. Shetty also had a doctorate in public administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy the University of Albany. He also served as a member to the United Nations mission in Kososvo as a part of the War Crimes Investigation Unit.

After his stint at Kosovo, he was made the DIG of recruitment. He was later posted as the Deputy Director of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad.

His mortal remains have been brought to the Yelahanka Armed Police Training School for public viewing from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday. The funeral is expected to take place at his hometown Yedadi in Udupi at 5 pm.

Condolences poured in from all fronts after Madhukar Shetty's demise. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said, "He was an extraordinary and honest police officer and was well liked by the people. May god rest his soul in peace. My condolences are with the family. I do not have words to express my sorrow."

Former Home Minister and senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy took to Twitter to offer his condolences.

"I am deeply saddened by the demise of an honest police officer. My condolences are with his family," Ramalinga Reddy said.

Speaking to TNM, former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said, "Madhukar Shetty was a dedicated and honest police officer. He served as an officer of the Lokayukta during my time and proved to be an asset for the country. His death is deeply saddening. Madhukar Shetty did not get involved in politics and he never picked sides. He only worked for what is right," Santosh Hegde said.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha too condoled Madhukar Shetty's death, stating that he was one of the "finest" police officers. "OMG, you can’t be more cruel than this. U snatched the life of one of the finest n most honest police officers of our state at this young age. He was the real Singham of Karnataka. Wht a sad news!" Pratap Simha tweeted.