Puttur: Puttur City Police have registered three separate cases following a clash at Darbe Junction in Puttur on Friday, August 21, involving allegations of assault, threats, disturbance and obstruction of police personnel during efforts to control the situation.
The cases were registered based on complaints from both sides as well as a suo motu complaint by the police. Police said they are examining videos of the incident and verifying whether any other cases are connected to the clash.
Dispute over damaged document
According to the complaint filed by Fathimath Miswana, 32, a resident of Jalsoor in Sullia, she had visited Puttur with her brother and sister on August 21.
Around noon, the family submitted documents for printing and lamination at Dream Destination Janaseva Kendra in Darbe. When they returned later to collect the documents, they allegedly found that one of the documents had been damaged.
Miswana reportedly objected to the damage and asked the staff either to rectify the document or pay Rs 300 so that a replacement could be obtained.
According to her complaint, Anjana Pai and Sudarshan Pai, who were present at the shop, allegedly verbally abused her. Sudarshan Pai is accused of assaulting Miswana and her sister and threatening them with death.
People who had gathered at the spot reportedly intervened and stopped the quarrel. Miswana, her sister and brother were subsequently treated and admitted to Puttur Government Hospital.
Based on her complaint, Puttur City Police registered Case No. 97/2026 under Sections 352, 115(2) and 109, read with Section 3(5), of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Sudarshan Pai was arrested in connection with the case and produced before the court. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody until September 2.
Police clarify about Sudarshan Pai’s father
Police also clarified that Sudarshan Pai’s father, Sadashiva Pai, was not present at the location when the initial incident took place.
According to the police, Sadashiva Pai arrived at the spot only after the quarrel had started and attempted to stop the dispute.
Police records also indicate that Sudarshan Pai, 29, a resident of Puttur Kasaba, had previously been booked in a case at Kankanady police station under Case No. 182/2025 under Section 8(C) of the NDPS Act.
Another case was registered against him at Kudoor police station in Ramanagara district under Case No. 87/2021 under Sections 307 and 504, read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
These previous cases form part of the police record concerning the accused, while investigation into the present incident is continuing.
Counter-complaint registered
A separate complaint was filed by Anjana S Pai, 50, a resident of Puttur Kasaba, who runs Dream Destination Janaseva Kendra at Darbe.
According to her complaint, a document submitted by a woman for lamination was damaged around noon on August 21 due to a technical error.
Later in the evening, shop staff informed Anjana Pai that the woman who had submitted the document was allegedly creating a disturbance at the premises. She then went to the shop.
Anjana Pai alleged that two women and a man were creating a disturbance and demanding either the documents or Rs 10,000. She said she attempted to pacify them.
According to the complaint, the individuals allegedly attempted to record a video, verbally abused and assaulted her. Another accused allegedly threatened her with death.
Based on her complaint against Fathimath Miswana, Mubashira, Mubarish and Naushad, Puttur City Police registered Case No. 98/2026 under Sections 115(2), 352, 351(2) and 79, read with Section 3(5), of the BNS, 2023.
Police said investigation into this case is underway.
Case registered over obstruction of police
The third case relates to alleged obstruction of police personnel who had arrived at the scene to control the situation.
Puttur City Police Inspector Johnson D’Souza reportedly received information on the evening of August 21 that a quarrel involving members of the public had broken out in front of Dream Destination Janaseva Kendra near Darbe Junction in Puttur Kasaba village.
The inspector, accompanied by police officers and staff, reached the spot and found a crowd gathered there.
As police attempted to disperse the crowd and restore order, some individuals allegedly obstructed the officers from carrying out their duties.
Police said that when some persons involved in the quarrel were being taken to the police station, Niyaz, Naushad and others allegedly obstructed the police and interfered with the discharge of their duties.
A suo motu case was subsequently registered at Puttur City Police Station as Case No. 99/2026 under Sections 132 and 121(1), read with Section 3(5), of the BNS, 2023.
Investigation into the case is continuing.
Mild lathi charge to disperse crowd
Police said a large number of people had gathered at the location during the incident, creating a law-and-order concern.
Officers instructed members of the public to leave the area and disperse. However, according to police, the crowd did not disperse despite repeated instructions.
Police then resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
The police have said that videos related to the incident will be examined as part of the investigation. Any further legal action will be taken based on the evidence and findings.
Police are also verifying whether other cases are connected to the incident and whether additional individuals were involved.
Investigation underway
The three cases cover allegations made by both sides as well as the alleged obstruction of police personnel during the law-and-order response.
With conflicting allegations emerging from the complaints, police are examining the available video footage and other evidence before deciding on further action.
The arrest of Sudarshan Pai in Case No. 97/2026 and his remand to judicial custody has been confirmed, while no arrest has been made at present in the case registered against Mohammed Naushad.
Police have appealed for restraint and said the investigation will determine the sequence of events and responsibility of those involved.
The situation at Darbe was brought under control after the crowd was dispersed, and further action is expected after police complete their examination of the evidence.