Circle Inspector C.D. Nagaraj and two other constables illegally detain Pradeep
A file picture of police personnel at Lakshmipuram to maintain law and order after the death of Pradeep, a cab driver -KPN
Bengaluru:DCP South-East Division Rohini Sepat Katoch has submitted a 60-page report to City Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi on the alleged illegal detention and custodial torture of a cab driver by the Kempegowda Nagar police.
Unable to bear the humiliation, the cab driver, Pradeep, hanged himself at his residence in Lakshmipuram. He had informed his friends that he was tortured in police custody. Ms Katoch’s report, submitted on Monday morning, prima facie proved that the Kempegowda Nagar police were at fault. The report blamed Circle Inspector C.D. Nagaraj and two other constables for illegally detaining Pradeep and torturing him. The DCP has stated in the report that the policemen indeed took Rs 15,000 as bribe to release Pradeep from the police station.
Senior police officers, who are awaiting the postmortem report, have not initiated any action, except suspending the circle inspector, who was also the station house officer, on Saturday.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Pradeep’s body bore injury marks, the report stated.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Alok Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) refused to comment on the legal action that will be initiated against the guilty police officers.
Pradeep was allegedly illegally detained by the Kempegowda Nagar police on Wednesday night following a complaint by his neighbours that the cab driver knocked on their door after getting drunk. He was kept in custody for two days and was allegedly tortured. The policemen demanded a bribe and released Pradeep only after his friend and employer, Bhargav, paid Rs 15,000.
The victim shared his ordeal at the police station with his friends and hanged himself at his residence on Saturday. His death triggered riots in the area and angry protesters burnt down a Cheetah patrolling motorbike and assaulted policemen. The police resorted to a mild lathicharge and Mr Alok Kumar and other senior police officers rushed to the area to calm the protesters.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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