Bengaluru: Though the Criminal Investigation Department has dropped the name of the late DySP Chikkamagaluru, Kalappa Handibag, from the chargesheet in the alleged kidnapping case of Tejas Gowda, they have “not given a clean chit” to the late police officer, said an officer on condition of anonymity.
“Though Handibag may have had no role in the kidnapping of Gowda or the extortion for ransom money, the CID is investigating the reasons, which may have compelled him to accept the ransom money of Rs 10 lakh from Gowda’s friend Pavan at the alleged behest of a known anti-social element Praveen Khandya, who asked him to collect it and hand it over to his aides. Khandya is absconding and is the prime accused in the kidnapping case. Why should a police officer take instructions from an anti-social element and collect money,” the officer asked.
Handibag case, he said, is an eye-opener on the way the police function and maintenance of law and order. “Though the CID has filed a chargesheet against 11 persons in the Tejas Gowda kidnapping case, the investigation is going on. Khandya’s arrest will throw light on why Handibag took instructions from him and collected money on his behalf. What was the relationship between the two? Khandya is absconding and may be given shelter by some people, but the CID will arrest him soon,” the officer said. Handibag’s case also exposes the pressure on the police to maintain law and order at any cost. “It is a known fact that Khandya, who is a local leader of Bajrang Dal, was thrown out of the cadre because he was also a police informant. The anti-social elements and rowdies are known to be the best source of information for the local police. Sometimes, these connections come out in the open like in this case,” said the officer. The late DySP was accused in the alleged kidnapping of Gowda on June 28 by a gang that was hired by the local gambling mafia to recover a sum of '25 lakh in betting dues. Khandya had allegedly asked Handibag to receive Rs 10 lakh that was handed over as ransom by Gowda’s friend’s Pavan, who had reportedly spoken to the police over phone before handing over the cash. The police have collected audio clips of the conversation. Handibag committed suicide on July 5 in Belagavi, a day after a kidnapping case was registered in which he was also an accused.
