Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 14: Dakshina Kannada district superintendent of police (SP), S D Sharanappa, has warned of taking stringent action against those who obtain records and documents by filing applications under Right to Information (RTI) Act and then try to harass people by misusing the information so obtained.

The warning came in response to a complaint which came up before him at the district level Dalit grievances meeting held at the office of the SP on Sunday September 13.

Seetaram of DK District Mogera Sangha, Shine Kumar, and Kavita, complained that an individual has been collecting information under RTI Act and then harassing the concerned by alleging that they had obtained fake caste certificates and used them for government facilities. In response, Girish Kumar said that original of the letter needs to be verified, after which Girish Kumar and Kavita family members indulged in arguments. Police personnel intervened and pacified the warring groups.

Shekhar, president of Dalit Rights Action Committee of Beltangady, alleged that Gopalkrishna Gowda, main accused in atrocity on Sundar Malekudiya, has been getting VIP treatment during investigation at Beltangady police station. The SP said that policemen own certain tactics in different cases depending on the need to do so. He said he would look into the matter whether this was done with some specific intention.

Shekhar also said that even after complaint was filed in Subrahmanya station about firing at a girl student of a college when she was returning home at Ainekidu near Subrahmanya, no first information report was registered. Several leaders, who supported him, said that people in Beltangady and Puttur taluks wield guns without possessing licences and keep threatening others. Sharanappa said he would investigate the matter and check the facts.

Additional superintendent of police, Vincent Shantakumar, was present at the meeting.