Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (EP)

Bengaluru, Jul 25: Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has expressed their dissatisfaction relating to the lenient police treatment accorded to the Hindu leader of Malnad region Praveen Khandya in the kidnap case which led to the suicide of Chikkamagaluru DySP Kallappa Handibag. It is learnt that the CID has also informed the state government about it.

“Though Pravin Khandya was the main conspirator in the kidnap of financier H M Tejas, that made Kallappa commit suicide, the local police were not strict enough to take action. Tejas had said that Praveen Khandya is directly responsible for the kidnap but the police have made Khandya the fourth accused which is questionable,” said a senior CID official.

“Khandya was justifying police action during peace meetings relating to communal riots. Therefore some senior Police officials have gone soft on him. In the circumstances Abhishek who helped in the kidnap has been made first suspect instead of Khandya. Nataraj who had financial disputes with Tejas and Khandya’s friend Navin Shetty have been made second and third suspects respectively. Khandya has been made fourth suspect.” said the CID officials.

Chikkamagaluru rural police had arrested Tejas and his accomplices for gambling on the basis of information provided by Praveen Khandya himself. Though the area comes under Chikkamagaluru sub division limits under DySP Kallappa Handibag, the local police officials did not inform him prior to the raid on the gambling den.

Besides, the rural police circle inspector had taken leave for personal work. Therefore the raid on gambling den was conducted under supervision by higher officials without informing the circle Inspector and the DySP.

The police, who arrested Tejas and others in the gambling case, did not question them enough. The police also did not inquire those who came to provide bail to the arrested. CID sources say that the kidnap could have been averted if Tejas was questioned properly.

Tejas in the police complaint against Khandya stated that Abhijith and six others kidnapped him on June 28 at 2 am, took him to Bengaluru and kept him in illegal detention in a godown. Navin Shetty ordered Tejas to pay Rs 25 lacs owed to Nataraj. As Tejas refused to pay, Navin Shetty assaulted him.

“Khandya and Nataraj had threatened to kill me once earlier. The kidnappers took me to another place after some time. Khandya who came with Navin Shetty again threatened me for money. When I paid Rs 10 lacs, Khandya and his accomplices left me near Gandhinagar Empire Hotel and fled,” said Tejas in his complaint making Khandya mainly responsible.

While Khandya is the fourth accused in the FIR, deceased DySP Kallappa Handibag is the fifth suspect. Khandya is yet to be arrested.