A woman PSI and staff from the Forest Mobile Squad were assaulted by a group while conducting a raid to seize ambergris, which was allegedly being transported illegally from Kodi in Kundapur. According to Janaki K, PSI of the Forest Mobile Squad, the raid was based on a tip-off about ambergris being stored for illegal transportation.
The squad arrived near a lodge where informants had arranged to meet two suspects, Ratnakar and Abubakar, who were storing the ambergris. The suspects then led the informants to another location in Kodi, where the ambergris was stored. When the squad attempted to seize the illegal substance, the group, along with some members of the public, attacked them, questioning their authority and claiming they were not police officers.
The attackers, using abusive language, physically assaulted the squad members with hands and sticks, obstructing them from carrying out their duties. They forcibly dragged the complainant, staff, and informants inside a building, continuing the assault. The attackers also stole two mobile phones and Rs 5,000 from a bag. The group then fled the scene, taking the ambergris with them.
The injured PSI, staff, and informants were sent to the Kundapura Government Hospital for treatment. Kundapura police later arrived at the scene and registered a case. The accused—Jayakar, Ratnakar, Abubakar, Asif, and several unidentified individuals—are charged with obstructing official duties, assault, unlawful detention, and theft, among other offenses under the Indian Penal Code.
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are underway.
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