Puttur Rural cops suspended for alleged attrocities against nine persons

MANGALURU: The sub-inspector and a police constable of the Puttur Rural Police Station have been placed under suspension in connection to the allegations of police atrocity against nine persons accused of displaying a banner that demeaned BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and former CM D.V. Sadananda Gowda.

The incident unfolded on Monday when a banner, created by a group calling themselves 'upset Hindu Karyakartas,' exhibited the photographs of Nalin Kumar Kateel and Sadananda Gowda with a footwear garland in Puttur. The banner expressed condolences (Bhavapoorna Shradhanjali) to the two for the BJP's defeat in the recent assembly elections.

Following a complaint, the police filed a case and arrested nine people in connection to the act. However on Wednesday, the video and photos of bruises on some of the accused circulated on the social media with allegations that the police had beaten them.

A complaint was subsequently lodged by Avinash against the deputy superintendent of police (DySP) of Puttur, the Sub Inspector (SI) of Puttur Rural Police Station, and constable Harshith from the same station. Based on this complaint, a case was registered under IPC Sections 323, 324, 506, and 341.

The investigation into the matter has been entrusted to the DySP of Bantwal.

Meanwhile, based on the inquiry report of the additional superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada, district PSI of Puttur Rural Police Station and Constable Harshith have been placed under suspension. A report will be submitted to the higher authorities for initiating disciplinary action against the DySP of Puttur.

Meanwhile, additional DGP (law and order) Alok Kumar has assured appropriate action against erring officials.

“Appropriate action is being taken against the erring police officers and men in the Puttur incident. Zero tolerance for such illegal and unwarranted actions,” Alok Kumar said in a tweet.