The police are alleged to have stifled an assault case under the influence of an educationist’s family after a worker was roughed up at the educationist’s house in Thumbay.
According to Mohammad Ibrahim (49), who lodged a complaint on Tuesday with Superintendent of Police Abdul Salaam (48), Managing Director of B.A. Group, which runs hospitals and schools in the district, assaulted him on Saturday on the pretext of taking part in a theft one month ago.
“There was a theft of Rs. 40,000 from the house a month ago. I along with two others in the house were questioned by the police and let off. However, around 3 p.m. on Saturday, he slapped me, accusing me of stealing,” said Mr. Ibrahim, who had been working as a helper in the house for 22 years.
He said he was treated at the government hospital in Bantwal later that evening, and filed a complaint with the Bantwal Rural Police Station around 1 a.m. on Sunday.
However, instead of summoning him to the station to record a statement, on Sunday noon three police officials “forcibly” took him to the office of the industrialist in Thumbay, said Mr. Ibrahim. “Even my children were not allowed in. Even though I am illiterate, the police forced me to sign on a paper,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim said he was thrown out of his job and an FIR was not filed. Coming from an economically backward family – his sons work as contract painters – he said the meagre salary of Rs. 100 a day given by the educationists’ family had sustained his family.
Abhishek Goyal, Superintendent of Police, said the matter would be investigated, and if there was any wrong doing on the part of police officials at the station, action would be taken.
Mr. Salaam refuted the allegations refusing to comment on the matter.
