Yogesh K Porwar
Two beat policemen have landed in trouble for allegedly harassing a group of four men returning home late at night in Byappanahalli and forcing them to pay Rs.500 for “venturing out”in what the cops claimed was a “sensitive area”.
The incident occurred on Sunday night when the four men booked a cab from Indiranagar to Byappanahalli.
After getting down and walking towards their residence, they were intercepted by two beat policemen in Sadanandanagar.
The policemen reportedly questioned them for being out late at night and claimed the area was under“high alert” following a robbery reported last month.
Despite the men explaining their identity and reason for being there,the policemen allegedly refused to let them go.
According to the victims,the policemen threatened to book them under the Karnataka Police Act and warned that a Hoysala patrol vehicle would be called to take them to the police station.
When the men objected,the policemen allegedly claimed they had the authority to do so and produced an old form dated 2022 to make the threat appear official.
The policemen initially demanded Rs.1,000 to let them go,which was later negotiated down to Rs.500.The amount was paid on the spot,which the victims described as payment for the“crime of venturing out at night”.
The entire conversation was recorded on a mobile phone,and the victims later raised a complaint on social media,tagging the Bengaluru City Police.
Following the post,police officials said they have begun probing the incident and have sought further details from the victims.
The episode has once again brought the spotlight on allegations of corruption within the police force and complaints of harassment of the general public through misuse of authority during late-night checks.
