Bengaluru: The police department has decided to fully back Sub-Inspector Srikanthe Gowda, who was seen subjecting a sexual offender to third degree.
In a video that has gone viral, SI Gowda is shown beating up the accused, Yeshwant – an employee at the World Trade Centre (WTC).
As policemen hold up the tied ankles of Yeshwanth, the SI cracks the sole of his feet with a stick. In another video, Yeshwanth is made to sit with the legs stretched, while two policemen on either side hold his knees down.
As the SI beats the accused on the soles of his feet, the hockey stick breaks into two.
The video was leaked to the media allegedly by SI Gowda’s rivals. As the discussions started about the suspension of the police officer, a twist in the tale came. Senior IPS officers after gathering the information about the case, decided to back him.
Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao initially announced SI Gowda’s suspension, but later withdrew it when North DCP N. Shashidhar briefed him about the case.
A police officer told Deccan Chronicle that Yeshwanth was arrogant despite the police confronting him with the sexual harassment case. He was detained as he was harassing a girl for sexual favours and had threatened her with an acid attack and issued life threats to her. The traumatised girl had stopped going to work. When DCP Shashidhar gave details of the case to the police commissioner and told him that the suspension would demoralise the entire force, the order was withdrawn.
A senior officer said, “If these sexual offenders are let out without any punishment, they will become bolder and commit even bigger crimes against gullible women. They need to be taught a lesson that they will remember for the rest of their life.”
He said, “Many harassment cases do not reach the police as parents and victims are scared of the social stigma. But when a complaint does reach the police, we should set an example, though it is not acceptable to some people in society.”
When contacted, DCP Shashidhar said, “We will take a disciplinary action according to the provisions in the department.”
