Pramesh S Jain
A 50-year-old customs officer has filed a complaint with the Bengaluru City Police alleging that he and his family received death threats from a man against whom penalties were imposed in a customs evasion case.
According to the complaint registered at Halasuru Police Station under Sections 308(4), 351(1),and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the complainant,stated that he was involved in an investigation related to alleged GST and customs duty evasion in Mangaluru.
During the inquiry,customs authorities allegedly imposed a customs duty penalty of Rs.6.07 lakh,an importer penalty of Rs.5 lakh, and an additional penalty of Rs.2.5 lakh under Section 114AA of the Customs Act,1962, against the accused,identified as Kripalani M.
Victim alleged that following the action,the accused developed a grudge against him and began issuing threats.
On April 1,2026, victim’s colleague,allegedly forwarded him a WhatsApp message containing an audio clip in which the accused was purportedly heard threatening to harm victim and his family.
The following day,victim allegedly received an envelope from an unidentified person containing another audio recording.
After listening to the clip on his laptop,he allegedly heard the accused threatening that he would not spare victim, his wife,or children.
Victim,who is currently posted in Mangaluru while his family resides in Bengaluru,stated in the complaint that the threats caused fear for the safety of his family members.Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
Police officials said Kripalani is already facing allegations of blackmailing and sexually harassing a woman customs officer.
According to investigators,the accused allegedly threatened to leak private photos and videos if his demands were not met.
In addition,two more FIRs have reportedly been filed against the accused for allegedly assaulting and misbehaving with police personnel while being escorted to a hospital for medical examination following his arrest.Further investigations are on.
