Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 21: Police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has clarified that cases are not registered on the basis of community and that the police act strictly on facts in every incident.
He said freedom of expression should not be used as a pretext to conceal facts or to create confusion among innocent people through provocative speeches. “We do not register cases based on communities in any incident. We function purely on the basis of facts,” he asserted.
The clarification came in the backdrop of a protest staged by SDPI Dakshina Kannada district unit near the Clock Tower in the city on Friday in connection with the Kolattamajalu Abdul Rehman murder case. During the protest, speakers had alleged that police were acting with bias while registering cases. They had also stated that RTI documents would be obtained and the issue would be raised in court regarding the arrest of Sangh Parivar and SDPI activists.
Responding to this, the police commissioner said, “There is no need for you to seek information under RTI. I myself will provide the details. Why waste 30 days?”
He said police have the authority to arrest accused persons involved in breach of peace or any criminal case. “In the last six months, prior to the Sharada Utsava procession, we had arrested members of Hindutva organisations as well. Similarly, before this protest, we had detained SDPI activists too,” he said, adding that if anyone is involved in criminal activities, cases will be registered and police action will follow accordingly.
Providing details, the commissioner said that as part of preventive measures in criminal cases, bond undertakings were taken from 895 persons, including 521 Hindus, 351 Muslims and 23 persons from other communities. In bond violation cases, amounts of Rs 7,40,000 deposited by 39 Hindus, Rs 2,40,000 deposited by 13 Muslims, and Rs 35,000 deposited by two persons from other communities have been forfeited.
He further said that in connection with the Bajpe Sharada Utsava procession organised by Bajrang Dal and VHP, bonds of Rs 2 lac were taken from two individuals. Similarly, during the SDPI protest, bonds of Rs 2 lac were taken from two individuals, the police commissioner added.