Mangaluru: In an unusual incident reported from the city, a man who went to a police station to lodge a complaint against neighbours over a minor issue was instead arrested for alleged drunken misconduct, threatening behaviour and abuse of police personnel. A local court has remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.
The accused has been identified as Manjappa Surendran, a resident of Green Park Apartments in the Land Links area and an employee at the Yeyyadi branch of Canara Bank. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Kavoor police station.
According to police sources, the sequence of events began with repeated complaints by the accused regarding youths playing shuttlecock in the courtyard area near his residence.
Repeated calls over shuttlecock play
Mangaluru police said Manjappa Surendran had made multiple calls to the police emergency helpline 112, complaining that youngsters playing shuttlecock near his residential premises were causing disturbance and affecting his sleep.
Residents in the apartment complex area at Land Links Green Park had reportedly been playing shuttlecock in the evening in a common open space when the dispute arose.
Unsatisfied with the response to his calls, Surendran later went in person to the Kavoor police station along with his wife to formally lodge a complaint against the neighbours.
Police say accused was intoxicated
Police officials stated that when Surendran arrived at the station, he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officers on duty reportedly noticed signs of intoxication during the interaction.
According to the police version, Surendran insisted that a complaint be immediately registered and allegedly argued with personnel on duty. He is also said to have threatened that he would escalate the matter to the Police Commissioner if his complaint was not taken up right away.
When officers questioned his condition and conduct, the situation escalated inside the station premises, police said.
Attempt to leave, stopped by police
Investigators said that after realising that police had observed his intoxicated state, Surendran attempted to leave the police station premises on the scooter in which he had arrived with his wife.
Police personnel followed and intercepted him near Colasso College in Pacchanadi limits and took him into custody.
His wife, who was with him at the time, was safely dropped back home by police in a patrol vehicle, officials said.
Abuse and threats against police staff
Police sources further alleged that while in custody, Surendran verbally abused officers using objectionable language and issued threats against them.
He is said to have accused personnel of joining service through bribery and allegedly told them he would ensure they lost their jobs. These statements have been included in the case records, according to officials familiar with the complaint.
Following his detention, Surendran was subjected to a medical examination, as required in cases involving suspected intoxication and misconduct at a public office.
Produced before court, remanded
Mangaluru police produced the accused before the Third JMFC Court after completing preliminary procedures and medical formalities.
The court remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. Police have registered a case covering alleged public nuisance, intoxicated misconduct, obstruction and abuse of public servants, and related offences. Exact sections invoked are expected to be detailed in the charge report.
Officials indicated that further inquiry is under way, including statements from police staff on duty and any available station records or CCTV footage.
Minor dispute turns into criminal case
Local residents described the trigger for the incident as a minor neighbourhood dispute over shuttlecock play in a shared area, which escalated after repeated complaints and the accused’s visit to the police station in an inebriated condition.
Police said the case highlights how trivial civic disputes can spiral when combined with intoxication and aggressive behaviour toward law enforcement personnel.
Conclusion
What began as a neighbourhood complaint over a recreational activity ended with the complainant himself being arrested and remanded, after police alleged drunken misconduct and threats inside a police station. Authorities reiterated that complaints can be filed through proper channels, but disorderly behaviour and abuse of officials will invite legal action.