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The Hindu
05-07-2025
- The Hindu
Complaint against police for collecting money from shopkeepers in Bengaluru
A complaint has been filed with the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) about the police allegedly collecting money from around 100 shops in the migrant labourers' colony in and around Varthur in Bengaluru by threatening to book cases against residents under The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). 'Collecting bribes from shopkeepers and labourers working as waste collectors is not new, but the harassment increased many folds, especially after the police intensified the drive against the sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco products at petty shops in and around Bengaluru,' said a shopkeeper who filed a complaint seeking respite from the harassment. According to the complaint filed on July 3 with a series of audio and video recordings of policemen allegedly collecting bribes, the complainant stated that he, on behalf of labourers, sought urgent attention to the grave and on-going violation of human rights, police misconduct, and abuse of power within the jurisdiction of Varthur Police Station. 'The victims of this abuse are mostly migrant workers from West Bengal and families living in informal settlements across Varthur. The situation has escalated to include disturbing actions by local police, including... 'Police are collecting weekly and monthly bribes from small vendors, shopkeepers, and daily-wage workers. This is being done openly, and under threat of arrest or harassment if payments are not made. From each shop, they collect anywhere between ₹200 to ₹3,000 depending on the shop. There are over 100 migrant dwellings in Varthur police limits,' the complainant stated. 'They forcibly took my fingerprint machine, which is essential for identification and documentation work for labourers. They are demanding ₹23,000 to return the machine, and are calling me to the police station under pressure. This is blatant theft and extortion,' the complainant alleged. Highest number of corruption cases against police This complaint in the SHRC comes even as the Lokayukta had claimed to be registering more complaints against police personnel. The main charges against police are corruption and lapses on their part in their duties, the Lokayukta had stated. Recently, two policemen in Bengaluru were suspended for allegedly extorting ₹37,000 from a differently-abled man by threatening to frame him in a fake drug case. Constable Parameshwar Nayak and Head Constable Sharan Basappa Poojari, attached to Indiranagar police station, are facing a departmental inquiry following their suspension over the incident that occurred on the night of June 14, senior police officials said. In his complaint filed in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) last week, the man said he was waiting for an autorickshaw near a pub on 100 Feet Road at Indiranagar around 11.50 p.m. when two men on a red motorcycle approached him. They allegedly identified themselves as police officers and began questioning him while accusing him of consuming drugs. They allegedly frisked the man and checked his wallet. They allegedly made him get on their motorycle and took him to the nearest ATM where they forced him to withdraw ₹37,000, and give the money to them.
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Indian Express
2 Bengaluru policemen suspended for extorting money from differently abled man
Two policemen in Bengaluru have been suspended for allegedly extorting Rs 37,000 from a differently abled man by threatening to frame him in a fake drug case. Constable Parameshwar Nayak and Head Constable Sharan Basappa Poojari, attached to Indiranagar police station, are facing a departmental inquiry following their suspension on Monday over the incident that occurred on the night of June 14, senior police officials confirmed. In his complaint filed at the office of the deputy commissioner of police (East) last week, the man said he was waiting for an autorickshaw near a pub on Indiranagar's 100 Feet Road around 11.50 pm when two men on a red motorcycle approached him. They allegedly identified themselves as police officers and began questioning him. After allegedly frisking the man and checking his wallet, the policemen confiscated his phone and demanded that he unlock it, the complaint said. After checking his WhatsApp messages, the policemen allegedly threatened to conduct a drug test on the man and jail him if the results were positive. The complainant alleged that the policemen then forced him onto their motorcycle in an illegal triple ride and took him to a different location for further interrogation. They then allegedly demanded to see his bank balance and initially asked for Rs 50,000 as a bribe, later reducing it to Rs 40,000. According to the man's complaint, as he only had Rs 42,000 in his account, he called a friend who transferred Rs 10,000. After an unsuccessful attempt at withdrawing money from one ATM, the police officials allegedly took the man to Paramahamsa Yogananda Road, where he withdrew Rs 40,000. The men allegedly returned Rs 3,000 and then fled. The man then contacted Broseph Foundation, an NGO in Bengaluru supporting individuals in legal distress. The organisation subsequently brought the matter to the attention of senior police officials.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
Two Bengaluru ops suspended for extorting specially abled man
Bengaluru: Two policemen from Indiranagar station have been suspended for allegedly extorting Rs 37,000 from a specially abled man by threatening to implicate him in a fabricated drug case. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against the duo — constable Parameshwar Nayak and head constable Sharan Basappa Poojari. A senior police officer confirmed the action and said the alleged incident took place on the night of June 14. According to the complaint, around 11.50pm near a pub on Indiranagar 100ft Road, the victim was waiting for an autorickshaw. Two men on a red motorcycle stopped in front of him, introduced themselves as police officers from Indiranagar station, and began questioning him. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Despite providing satisfactory responses, the victim was frisked and his wallet inspected. "They snatched my phone and asked me to unlock it. After scanning through my WhatsApp messages, one of them said I had to be tested for drugs, and if found positive, I'd be jailed," the complainant said. The man was then forcibly taken on a triple ride — itself an offence — on the motorbike. They stopped some distance away and continued questioning the man. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Own A Barrel of Whisky With Average Annual Returns of 10.15%* Whisky Investors Download Undo The duo allegedly demanded that the victim display his bank balance and demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000, later reducing it to Rs 40,000 after his pleading. "There was Rs 42,000 in my account. On their instructions, I called a friend and got Rs 10,000 transferred. I first tried to withdraw money from an ATM, but it wasn't working. They then rode to Paramahamsa Yogananda Road and stopped at another ATM, where I withdrew Rs 40,000," the victim recounted. After handing over the cash, he pleaded with them that he had nothing left. The men then returned Rs 3,000 before speeding away. Shaken by the experience, the victim approached Broseph Foundation, an NGO that supports individuals in legal distress. The foundation subsequently took up the matter with senior police officers at Indiranagar station.
