Mysuru: An innocent youth with chain around his legs languished in police station for four days in what could be described as police excesses.
On March 6, a youngster named Girish, employed in a cloth store at Garuda mall in the city noticed a vanity bag, left behind by a customer. On enquiry, an unknown lady claimed possession of the bag and vanished from the scene. After few minutes, the real loser walked into the store to collect the bag left behind by her. Innocent Girish explained that a lady had taken the bag a while ago claiming that bag belonged to her.
The real owner of the bag suspected foul play by Girish and lodged a complaint against him at Devaraja Police Station. Mysteriously, 12 days after the incident, i.e., on March 18, the cops barged into Girish’ place, took him into their custody and chained his leg to the window of the police station.
When his family sought Girish’s release, the cops demanded Rs 28,000. With no other option, Girish’s brother Manikantha arranged to pay Rs 28,000 to get his brother released from the station.
When the matter was brought to the notice of City Police Commissioner Dr. Subramanyeshwar Rao, he assured of action against the erring cops. One wonders how Inspector Nagaraj managed to keep the hapless youngster in the station for 4 days without registering a complaint. To top it all, the police demand for cash for release subjected the youth’s family to lot of hardship.
With none held accountable till now, a local NGO is planning to lodge a complaint of Human Rights violation against the cops.
An incident of this kind can blot the image of the force and the aggrieved family is hopeful of some action against the erring cops.
