Daijiworld Media Network - Bagalkot (RJP)

Bagalkot, Jan 7: Superintendent of police C B Rishyanth, who was till recently serving as ASP of Puttur in Dakshina Kannada, has suspended seven constables of Navanagar police station for allegedly robbing Rs 20 lac from two men who were exchanging old notes for a commission.

According to police, on December 27, the two men, from Hosur in Hubballi, were camping in a lodge in Bagalkot with Rs 20 lac in denomination of new Rs 2,000 notes. A constable from Navanagar police station got wind of the deal and informed six of his colleagues. They learnt that the cash would be exchanged at the house of a priest.

The seven constables came together and raided the house of the priest and snatched the bag containing the cash. The police constables then shared the money among themselves.

The victims brought the matter to the notice of the senior police officers the next day, but did not lodge any complaint. When the news appeared in the media, the then superintendent of police M N Nagaraj had said that no such incident had taken place.

C B Rishyanth who was appointed as superintendent of police recently learnt about the incident. His investigations showed that the seven constables were involved in the crime prima facie.

The SP said that the seven policemen had been suspended pending departmental enquiry. The names of the police personnel have not been revealed. It is said that none of them has reported for work after the 'daylight robbery'.