BENGALURU: “You people should do what I tell you to do. We have all the powers and you have no rights. Now get lost from here. What is wrong in abusing educated people like you?” This is what Dr Pramukh Natesh and Arvind, a sports journalist, had to hear from two night beat cops attached to the Basvanagudi police station for sitting near a park and catching up.
The incident took place around 11.30 pm on Tuesday near Katte Balaga in Basvanagudi. The two friends had parked their bikes near their regular meeting spot and were chatting when the two policemen, who were patrolling in the area, spotted them. The cops allegedly abused them for sitting at a public place late at night.
Dr Pramukh, a resident of Basvanagudi, told Deccan Chronicle, “Two constables, one on a bike with the registration number KA 06 G-5085 and the other on a Cheetah patrol bike (with the registration number KA*** 304) stared abusing us. I told one of the cops that we are civilians and not criminals, and they should talk to us properly. Arvind too told the cops that we were about to move from the place. It seemed to enrage the cop further, and he said, ‘Shut up. How dare you reply to me? Just get lost from here. Educated people need to be abused this way.”
When they wanted to know the cop’s name, he said, “My name is brinjal. Happy! Now what will you do?” He went charging towards the two friends when some local residents, noticing the commotion, intervened and pacified the policemen and the two youngsters. “The behaviour of the night beat cops was totally uncalled for. The policemen should learn how to behave with people. We want strict action against the two cops,” said Dr Pramukh. He then approached the Basvangudi police inspector.
After DC reported the matter to police inspector at Basvanagudi police station, the inspector immediately took note of the complaint and conducted an inquiry on Wednesday night. “Both the complainant and the two erring cops were summoned around 10:30 pm. The cops apologised to Dr Pramukh and were left with stern warning.” Dr Pramukh expressed satisfaction over the way the matter was handled.
Not the first time
It was not the first time that policemen have misbehaved with citizens. On June 13, two traffic cops abused a 20-year-old student and told him, “Look at you. You look like a ‘Porkie’ who comes from other states and settles down in the city.” The DCP (Traffic-East) suspended one of the erring policemen on June 15.
