Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Jan 21: A number of persons, who have accused the policemen of highhandedness and inhuman torture in retaliation to an incident in which stones were pelted at the police station here some time back, have approached Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC), seeking action against the police personnel concerned.

It may be recalled that Prakash Hegde, vice president of the town panchayat here, P K Umesh, president of BJP Shakti Kendra’sk town unit, and 13 others had been arrested by the policemen in the above case. Several of them alleged later that they were tortured by using archaic, crude, and inhuman methods, at the police station. The delegation which handed over a petition to KSHRC chairman, S R Nayak, was also accompanied by Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel.

The petitioners have named the then district superintendent of police (SP), Labhu Ram, additional district SP, Prabhakar, sub-inspectors of police, Ravikumar, Paul Priyakumar and Anand, as well as other personnel, Ramesh, Palanivelu, Kuriakose etc. They alleged that these officials had tortured them physically and mentally. They charged the police department, with which complaints were filed, of registering cases under sections of the act which are not potent enough to subject the concerned to adequate quantum of punishment.

The delegation, which also had also been accompanied by Bajrang Dal leader, Vinay Kumar Kandadka, was assured by the KSHRC chairman to investigate the issue and ensure that justice is done, it is gathered.