Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)

Udupi, Sep 6: Two youths who mistook a call from the police as a prank from friends have had to pay a heavy price, with one of them landing in the hospital following alleged police atrocity in lock-up.

Awaiz (21), a resident of Malpe, was admitted to Ajjarkad district hospital after Malpe police, on the instructions of SI Ravi Kumar, allegedly beat him up in the lock-up on Sunday September 6.

It is said that Awaiz' friend Sampath had purchased a mobile phone from a person identified as Prasanna. As it turned out, the phone was reportedly stolen and the police were trying to trace its location.

Sampath therefore received a call from the Malpe police, but instead of taking it seriously, he thought some friends were playing a prank on him. He talked back in a condescending manner and passed on the phone to Awaiz who was with him at the time. Awaiz too thought it was a prank call and spoke rashly, it is said.

The police who took affront at the way the boys talked tracked down the phone's location and took Sampath into custody. During interrogation, he revealed information about Awaiz too, and the latter was summoned. It is learnt that Sampath too was allegedly beaten up by the cops in the lock-up.

However, Awaiz and his family grew worried and anxious, and locked up the house and left on Saturday September 5 night, but came back the next morning. The cops themselves visited the neighbourhood and informed the family about the summons. By noon, Awaiz accompanied by some family members appeared in the Malpe police station.

Awaiz and his family alleged that he was assaulted by six police personnel in the lock-up, on the instructions of SI Ravi Kumar. His uncle who tried to intervene was also reprimanded, it is alleged. The police also reportedly threated to file serious charges against Awaiz and make it difficult for him to obtain passport.

By 4 pm, Awaiz was released, after which he got admitted to Ajjarkad hospital.

Sources said that the hospital has sent an intimation to Udupi town police.

When contacted, SI Ravi Kumar said that he would look into the matter.

Awaiz is a first year BCom student at Manipal. The student body which reacted strongly to the incident has threatened to go on a protest.