Beltangady: Alleged assault on family, nun - Locals come together in support of SI Sandesh
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
Updated
Beltangady, Dec 29: Hours after a family alleged atrocity by Beltangady sub-inspector (SI) Sandesh, locals from all communities along with a few organizations came together in strong support of SI Sandesh and said that he should not be suspended or transferred from Beltangady.
As SI Sandesh also belongs to the same community, the protestors argued that he could not have assaulted or abused a nun as alleged by the family.
They also said that SI Sandesh has known to be a sincere and upright officer who would not abuse or assault without reason, especially women and children. "He has done excellent work ever since he came to Beltangady, and hence he should not be suspended or transferred," they said.
"The police were only doing their duty. It is not their mistake," they added.
Members of Bajrang Dal, VHP, SDPI, Muslim and Christian organizations came together and expressed their support to SI Sandesh.
The family of Kiran Walter, a resident of Savanalu who works in Israel, on Tuesday alleged that SI Sandesh along with other policemen had interrupted the wedding function of Kiran's brother Alwyn and tried to arrest Kiran in connection with a visa fraud case. When the family objected, they, along with a nun and a child were allegedly assaulted by SI Sandesh. In a counter case, SI Sandesh alleged that Kiran and some members of his family assaulted him and other cops when they went to arrest Kiran.
As per a complaint filed by Anil Furtado, Kiran took Rs 5.10 lac from him with a promise to provide visa to Israel to Anil's wife Leena, but after taking the amount in installments, Kiran allegedly neither provided the visa nor returned the money.
Further investigations are on. The IGP has sought a report on the incident by Wednesday December 30 afternoon, based on which further action is expected to be taken.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Beltangady SI accused of assaulting family, including nun and child
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Dec 29: In an alleged case of police atrocity, sub-inspector (SI) of Beltangady police station reportedly interrupted a wedding function on the night of Monday December 28 and assualted several members of a family.
It is alleged that Beltangady SI Sandesh along with other personnel, dressed in muftis, went to the house of Kiran Walter, a resident of Savanalu during a wedding function. The family said that as the policemen were in civil dress, they were mistaken to be guests and invited inside. One of the persons accompanying the SI was identified as Lawrence, the family said.
SI Sandesh then tried to arrest Kiran in connection to a case of fraud registered against him in Beltangady police station. When Kiran's wife Jennifer objected and demanded the SI to produce an arrest warrant or other relevant documents, the SI grew angry and allegedly assaulted and tore her clothes.
The family members further said that when a nun who was present at the spot questioned what was going on, she too was allegedly abused with vulgar words and assaulted.
The SI then called other police personnel who came with lathis and locked the house from inside and assaulted the family members, the family alleged.
It is learnt that the SI arrested Kiran Walter (38), Elias (40), Rupesh (29) and Godwin (20).
The family also claimed that following the assault, SI Sandesh has registered a case against Kiran Walter, his wife Jennifer Saldanha, Sr Winnie D'Costa and four others under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC. It is learnt that SI Sandesh, in a submission to the court asking for judicial custody of 15 days for the arrested persons, alleged that when he along with complainant Anil and some police personnel including Lawrence went to arrest Kiran, the latter abused them, while his family members including wife Jennifer, Avira, Rupesh, Alwyn and others assaulted them with sticks, footwear and chairs, and threatened to kill them. In this regard, four were arrested and booked under IPC sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 504, 506, 323, 324, 307, 353 and 149 on charges of attempt to murder, threatening as well as obstructing official duty.
Four women who were allegedly assaulted have been admitted to hospital. Altogether, around 12 were assaulted by the police, sources said. Some of the victims have been identified as Avira D'Souza, Jennifer Saldanha, Sr Winnie D'Costa, Shayna Priyanka (9) and Theresa Saldanha.
It is also alleged that some children, including 9-year-old Shayna, were filming the incident on cell phones, which angered the police. SI Sandesh allegedly assaulted Shayna too and tore her clothes, besides confiscating 15 cellphones and destroying two of them.
Background of the case
Sources said that Kiran Walter, who works in Israel, was accused of cheating by his friend Anil Furtado. According to Kiran's wife Jennifer, Anil had alleged that Kiran had taken his wife to Israel, soon after which she stopped responding to calls and lost communication with him. Anil alleged that Kiran had kept his wife in Israel and cheated the couple. However, Kiran denied the allegations and said that Anil's wife had gone to Israel with someone's help and not his. However, in the FIR registered on December 28, it is alleged that Kiran took Rs 5.10 lac from Anil promising Israel visa to his wife, but later he neither provided the visa nor paid back the money when Anil demanded it back.
Kiran came to his hometown on December 11 to attend his brother Alwyn's wedding that was held on December 28. On December 20, Kiran was taken into custody in connection to Anil Furtado's compaint, and allegedly assaulted by the police. The family members claimed that when Alwyn went to the police station to get Kiran released, he too was taken into custody and assaulted by the SI. A complaint against SI Sandesh had been submitted on December 21 to Bantwal sub-divisional ASP, in which it was alleged that SI Sandesh had threatened to disrupt Alwyn's wedding.
J R Lobo visits
MLA J R Lobo who visited Wenlock hospital where the victims have been admitted said that he would speak to Beltangady MLC Vasanth Bangera and also ask the superintendent of police (SP) to look into the matter.
Stany Alvares who also visited Wenlock hospital said, "The police did not even spare the nun. She did not have any idea of what was going on. The entire Christian community will strongly protest against this and demand justice and removal of SI Sandesh."
Complaint to IGP
On Tuesday December 29, the family filed a complaint with IGP Amrit Paul against SI Sandesh. In response, the IGP said that such behaviour from police personnel was not acceptable, and the matter would be investigated by an IPS rank officer appointed by the SP. A report on the matter will have to be submitted by Wednesday December 30, he added.